Gov. Abbott Cuts Summer Food Aid for Struggling Texas Families

If you’re a Texas parent trying to figure out how to feed your kids now that school’s out, this summer just got even more stressful.

A federal program called SUN Bucks, which would have given eligible families $120 per child to help cover groceries during the summer months, won’t be coming to Texas. Governor Greg Abbott slashed the $60 million in funding from the state budget that would have allowed Texas to participate, despite the Legislature approving the funds.

Millions of Texas kids will go without summer meal support this year, leaving families like Abigal Rangel’s scrambling. The Cleveland, Texas mom of four says without school lunches, she’s now cutting back on essentials just to make ends meet: “It’s hard times. It’s stressful sometimes, you know.”

A missed opportunity for Texas children.

Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, says the veto is a missed opportunity to support millions of low-income Texas children.

"We'll continue to push Gov. Abbott and the Legislature, even if it means using this special session to make sure this program gets up and running."

In the meantime, Cole encourages families to connect with local food banks, which may have additional summer support.

If your family was counting on school lunches to get by, and you’re now wondering what to do next, you’re not alone. The state may have hit pause, but your reality didn’t. And for many Texas parents, summer just got tougher.

If you are experiencing food insecurity this summer, please reach out to your local food bank. You can find your nearest Food Bank by clicking HERE.