Take Action: Tell Governor Abbott to Support Summer EBT for kids

The Summer EBT program would feed over half the state’s school-aged children next summer. But Governor Abbott’s decision to veto Texas’ participation in the program has put nearly 4 million children at risk of hunger when school is out. Nearly one in five Texas children lives in a food-insecure household, and summer is often the hungriest time of year as families lose access to school meals. Summer EBT is a proven, federally funded program that provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible child, helping families keep nutritious food on the table when budgets are stretched thin.

We need your help. Please urge Governor Abbott and state leaders to reverse course and opt in to Summer EBT next year. Together, we can make sure Texas kids have the healthy meals they need to grow, learn, and thrive.

Personalizing your letter below will go further. To make your message more effective, please share why it's important to you to support families and kids in your community.

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Reverse the Summer EBT Veto

Dear [Decision Maker],

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Summer EBT offers a proven, effective solution. The program provides $120 in USDA approved grocery benefits per eligible child during the summer, helping families bridge the gap when school meals are unavailable. By opting into Summer EBT, Texas can ensure more children have consistent access to nutritious food, no matter the season.

Texans overwhelmingly support this program. A new No Kid Hungry Texas poll found that 80% of Texans believe our state should participate in Summer EBT, with two in three disagreeing with your decision to veto the program. This includes nearly 60% of Republicans and close to 90% of independents, reflecting broad, bipartisan support. And an overwhelming 92% of Texans agree that childhood hunger should not exist in our state.

The stakes for families are real. The same poll found that 75% of families go into higher debt over the summer because of higher food costs. More than half report serving less nutritious food, and over 60% say their physical and mental health suffers as a result. These numbers tell a clear story: too many Texas families are being pushed to their limits trying to feed their children.

Without Summer EBT, Texas is leaving approximately $450 million in fully federally funded nutrition assistance on the table each year. Over the course of a biennium, that adds up to as much as $1.6 billion in lost economic impact. These dollars could provide critical support to children who lose access to school meals during the summer at no cost to the state for the benefits themselves.

I respectfully urge you to ensure Texas opts in to Summer EBT for Summer 2026. A pledge from yourself, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House to reimburse the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for the administrative cost of the program would make participation possible. Texas has previously used emergency budget transfers to address urgent needs outside of session, and this approach could once again ensure children don't go hungry simply because school is out.

Thank you for your leadership and for your continued commitment to the health and well-being of Texas families.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]