Ossoff, state leaders encourage governor to accept federal funds

ATLANTA — For months, Gov. Brian Kemp has faced backlash for refusing tens of millions of dollars to help Georgia children and their families afford lunch during the summer months. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is calling on the governor to change course and accept federal funds to ensure Georgia children don’t go hungry.

This week, Ossoff and members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation urged Kemp to reverse course and apply for next year’s program so that Georgia children don’t go hungry and can receive meals during the summer of 2025.

Kemp has until next Thursday to submit initial plans to the USDA for next summer’s program.

“Committing to participate in Summer EBT in 2025 is a simple, commonsense step that will ensure that every child in our state, regardless of where they live, has access to food when they need it most,” Ossoff and the group wrote. “States that refuse to participate in Summer EBT for unsubstantiated reasons are needlessly putting children in jeopardy during the summer months.”

According to a report by the Food and Research Action Center, there are almost 1.2 million low-income children in Georgia who are automatically eligible for this benefit but cannot participate due to Kemp’s decision to opt out of the program.

The letter is also signed by Sen. the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Reps. Lucy McBath, Sanford Bishop, Nikema Williams, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. and David Scott.