“Please feed our children.” Iowans call on Gov. Reynolds to participate in Summer EBT in 2025

 “Our flooded communities need this assistance. Our families in every community deserve the opportunity to feed their children.” – Sharon in Spirit Lake

“Please consider accepting federal funds to feed the less fortunate children in the state of Iowa. This could also help decrease violence in the homes of many Iowa families.” – Rebecca in Pomeroy

“Two school-age kids, tornado destroyed all our food.  No meal sites within an hour drive.  Very little food in our food pantry in a very small rural county.” – Rhonda in Greenfield

“Our children are our future and all human beings deserve their basic needs met.” – Katelyn in Grimes

“Please start making children a priority! No child should have to go to bed hungry!” – Toni in Dike

“This would help so many families get relief. It may seem like a small amount to some but can be lifesaving to others who have to choose between bills and food.” – Heather in Newton

“Many of our children in the school system are only able to eat a meal provided by the school. Summer EBT for some families is the difference to feed their children. Inflation and many factories doing layoffs have impacted the working class gravely.” – Kacie in Des Moines

“As a single mother with no financial support outside of my own income, this would be a lifesaver for my son.” – Nikki in Des Moines

“Please fund Summer EBT for our community. We have so many kids who don’t have proper access to food, especially in the summer when parents are at work.” – Lisa in Waterloo

“Iowa’s kids whose families have low incomes need ready access to nutritious food to help them not only survive but thrive. Summer EBT provides the best opportunity to ensure that all kids who need this support receive it as soon as possible.” – Barb in Le Claire

“I see a great need to help fight hunger and feed the kids of Jefferson County today and every day, especially during the summer months when free meals at school are not available.  The need to provide healthy and nutritious meals is very important for our community.” – Susan in Fairfield

“When my kids were younger we didn’t have a large income. We relied on WIC and food stamps to help us. I want to see other people be able to benefit when in need. While I now can support myself and what I want to purchase, I want other families to have healthy options.” – Michelle in Sheldon

“As a healthcare provider in rural Iowa I ask the governor to participate in the Summer EBT program. Food insecurity in my rural, poverty-ridden area of Iowa is a huge issue that we try to tackle locally as best we can, but it’s not enough.” – Andrew in Estherville

“My daughter needs this.” – Jasmine in Eagle Grove

“Please consider using this program in Iowa.  Every little bit helps in the fight against hunger.  Food is so expensive to people with steady incomes, let alone people with instability.” – Shelly in Burlington

“Please reconsider the decision to participate in the Summer EBT program. Summer is the hardest time for children and families when it comes to food security. There are local families who are being directly affected by this decision.” – Ema in Estherville

 
“This is an efficient way to prevent childhood hunger in the summer.  It is much more efficient than community food banks and summer meals, which require time and transportation which may not be available.” – Karen from Maquoketa

“Get it done for 2025. Don’t sink it like 2024. Rural kids don’t have access to schools or meal sites like town/city kids.” – Terri from Anamosa

“There is only one summer lunch location available in my city for children.  Families must have transportation to and from.  During the one hour that they serve during the day.  Adults are not allowed to get food at the site so are not able to eat with the children they bring.  We have a variety of cultural backgrounds in my community but some options are not kosher or halal.  If families had money to purchase their own food they could afford to pack meals for children attending childcare or cook culturally appropriate food their family can enjoy together. Chronic stress is exacerbated by placing barriers to food access.” – Michelle from Urbandale

“Many Iowa children, particularly in rural areas, do NOT have access to meal sites.  Do the right thing for Iowa families.” – Jerelyn from Dubuque

“Many families in our community rely on the free breakfast & lunch program through the schools. Once summer hits, they are in financial strain trying to feed their families. The summer EBT program would help relieve that financial strain.” – Sara from Council Bluffs

 “We need help with these kids’ summer food. I struggle to feed my kids in the summer. We need the same thing other states are receiving that we are not – it’s not fair to us low-income families.” – Samantha from Ottumwa

“The children in my area cannot all access going to the one or two schools in our district that are feeding children at lunchtime. They are not walkable, bike-able, or accessible to all students. When parents are working, they can’t leave to take their children to go get lunch and sit at the school and wait for them to be done to then take them home. It’s not feasible or cost-effective. So some children are going to be left out of the school lunches because it is not an equal or equitable situation.” Amber from Bettendorf

“I relied upon P-EBT for my lunches and snacks during multiple summers. There are other programs available, but the restrictions of transportation and registration often limit children’s access entirely.” – Brody in West Des Moines

“Having kids come to a common area to eat meals doesn’t work in a rural area.” – Phillip in Farragut

“Children don’t get to choose their circumstances and they certainly don’t deserve to go without food, regardless of their parents ability to provide. Summer EBT benefits will greatly help to provide healthy, nutritional meals to the kiddos who may otherwise go without food in the summer. Our school system no longer offers summer meals, despite 52% of the students receiving free or reduced meals and one out of four households in Clarion alone is living below poverty level.” – Missy in Rowan

“My husband and I volunteer at the Urbandale Food Pantry, so we see the faces of our neighbors who are unable to afford nutritious food for their families. We have also seen the lines grow longer as our state politicians remove or restrict access to this basic human need. We need healthy communities for our state to thrive. Iowans should not go hungry, especially our children!” – Ellen in Urbandale

“I am a pastor and in my community we get so many requests for assistance for families in need. Many of our Iowa families are struggling to get by. Our families, and especially our children need this allotment of money from the federal government.” – Marion in Decorah

“Our food pantry needs you to sign this! Too many kids are hungry this summer – over 65% of those we serve are under 18 years old!” – Andrea in Johnston

“I’m a director of a foundation who donates every year to Iowa nonprofits. These include food banks each year, who have let us know about high demand from families in need. The state of Iowa needs to step up. With an enormous surplus, why not help hungry kids and families?” – Cindy in Sioux City

“We need to feed the kids in the summertime. It puts more pressure on the food pantries, that are already struggling to stay afloat.” – Roma in Davenport

“Especially with so much flooding, food banks are very stretched. It really could help some of our most vulnerable: Iowa’s children.” – Marissa in Williamsburg

“Hunger is real. Many Iowans and their families are struggling. Food banks are stretched. Can’t you see people are hurting?” – Kathleen in Eldridge

“I work at a food pantry weekly. The number of people and children in dire situations is astounding!  Do something about it.” – Judy in Waukee

“I have seen a strain in our local pantry due to the extra need from some of these families…Step up and do what’s right for these families! The income guidelines are already extremely low. Inflation rates make it difficult to even survive with what you get in SNAP anymore.” – Emily in Pocahontas

“Our food pantries cannot keep up with the increased need for food in the summer when children are home. Please bring this resource to the homes of the families that need assistance.” – Sheri in Burlington

“Seeing hungry children come to the food pantry where I volunteer in rural Iowa brings tears to my eyes when I know funding was available to help them, but was rejected for no good reason.” – Bruce in Clive

“Food banks were not the answer to helping these families in 2024 as many of the food banks in the rural areas were struggling with getting enough food to keep them filled.” – Carleen in Manilla

“Way too many people are going without. We are an emergency food pantry and do not have the space or product to give to people more than once a month. There are a few other pantries around but the clients have no way there, the hours are odd, or they can only go once as well. This is needed!” – Patty in Mount Pleasant

“Hunger and food insecurity are at crisis levels in Iowa right now, with food banks and food pantries breaking records constantly. Hundreds of thousands of low-income kids would have benefited from this program this summer. Iowa shouldn’t sit out again! Kids deserve our support.” – Jenelle in Storm Lake

“Hunger and food insecurity are something I see daily working in a nonprofit with families- even those who you would consider to not be ‘low income’ are struggling. Please accept this funding to assist families in feeding their children!” – Laura in Ankeny

“As Co-Chair of MANNA for Fairfield (Meeting Ageless Nutritional Needs Abundantly), I have personally witnessed the hunger needs of children in Jefferson County, Iowa. In June 2024, our Food Bank Ministry served 285 Individuals (many of them Children) in 131 Households.” – Stephen in Fairfield

“As coordinator of a food pantry I see many families with children of all ages come in for food. Many come in every month.” – Jacqueline in Fort Madison

“I am on a library board that supports a local lunch program for kids in the summer.  There are so many kids who need help with nutrition during the summer months while parents are working.  Please support our kids!” – Ruth in Britt

“I volunteer at St. Paul’s neighborhood meals program here in Cedar Rapids. I have seen the need and hear the stories. These are working class poor people who need a tiny bit of help to provide their kids nutritious food. Let’s be real about what’s going on and lend them a hand.” – Laurel in Cedar Rapids

“Give your fellow Iowans credit for the ability to make good food choices.” – Shelley in Cedar Rapids

“I have volunteered at a local food pantry for 16 years. Many of those in need of help look for the healthy choices and are very aware of best nutritional choices.  I feel there has been a stereotyping of those who need help as wasting money on junk food. I just do not see that from my experiences with clients.” – Kathy in Ankeny

“We have seen tremendous need in Ames and Story County in the number of children and adults facing food insecurity. It is shameful to know that our neighbors are going without this summer. Please give them the dignity inherent in shopping for and purchasing their own food according to their own wants, needs and lifestyles. This level of independence is necessary.” – Sarah in Ames

“P-EBT helped my family so much to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. While we probably wouldn’t qualify now, I really hope they bring it back for those that do.” – Rebecca in Dubuque

“Food insecurity often hits those 18 and younger the hardest. The food banks try very hard to include fresh fruit and vegetables in what they offer, but the Summer EBT program is much more organized and the delivery vehicle is more user friendly. Eating what is cheap is often not nutritious and leads to obesity and other health problems with our youth that put further burden on the health care system.” – Tracy in Cedar Rapids

“Please don’t let Iowa children go without food.  It’s essential for brain development and learning.  These children deserve better from you.” – Catherine in Anamosa

“Please feed our children in 2025!  Brain development is dependent on good nutrition.” – Jeanne in Bellevue

“We have kids in Iowa where school lunches are their guaranteed meal for the day during the school year. An extra $40 for food a month is a way to help these kids get the food they need to grow into healthy adults.” – Jacey in West Des Moines

“Kids can’t grow and learn when they’re hungry!  This is Iowa! We grow food for the world.  We can certainly feed our own children!” – Jean in Waukee

“As a public health director, clinician and citizen of a rural community, I urge you to participate in the Summer EBT program. Many of our children can count only on school meals and community funded meals for nutrition. Our food banks are overwhelmed, and our grassroots efforts (community gardens, volunteers, food drives) are not able to meet the demand. Nutrition is important to mental health and also physical development. With stretched budgets, families are filling their stomachs with highly processed, cheap junk. In Henry County, our obesity rate is above the state average at 39%; we desperately need nutritious food for our children, our FUTURE. Weigh the cost of obesity related illnesses (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, cancer) against the cost of providing nutritious food for our kids.” – Katie in Mount Pleasant

“As a school nurse I fully support the summer EBT program for children in Iowa. Hungry children don’t learn well and eat more cheap junk food.” – Pam in Iowa City

“I am an elementary school teacher, working in a low SES school, and the free breakfast and lunch many of my kids need, deserve, and currently get is why they are able to learn, prosper, and be valuable contributors to their community and beyond. When kids’ basic needs aren’t met, they can’t learn, and they certainly can’t thrive. We need to foster the growth of our kids for the future of our country, not to mention, they are deserving and worthy because they are HUMAN beings.“ – Michelle in Iowa City

“As a teacher, I see firsthand how hungry kids are! I would love to see those who benefit from school lunches also getting help during the summer. Please put Iowa kids front of mind when you make this decision!” – Jess in Coralville

“Please feed the children. I was an elementary teacher for over 30 years. I have seen the struggles for children who have food insecurity.” – Lynn in Corydon

“Investing in feeding kids also invests in local communities” – Tiffany in Clive

“There is nothing more pro-life than making sure that Iowa children are not hungry.  The EBT program is good for children & for the business community in Iowa. Do the right thing!” – Rachel in Urbandale

“Helping kids living in poverty also spills over to help farmers too who benefit from increased food sales.” – Jasmine in St. Charles

“There’s absolutely no reason to keep food from children. Administrative costs? We have a surplus!” – Joni in Cedar Rapids

“There is no downside to feeding kids and easing the stress on parents.” – Donna in Murray

 “Many thousands of Iowa children desperately need the Summer EBT program. As Governor you have the ability to help our children! As an Iowan my entire life I cannot see why you are not doing this!” – Brenda in Olin

“It is unconscionable that our state would refuse such an impactful and innovative program as Summer EBT while families throughout Iowa are struggling with rising costs and limited access to nutritionally and culturally appropriate food. Embracing this federal resource should be an easy and quick decision for our leaders to make.” – Paul in Des Moines

“It is vital that we show that we care about the children of Iowa more than gaining political points. As a father and grandfather, I urge acceptance of the nutrition that enrollment in the Summer EBT provides for our families in need. It is the right thing to do!” – Steven in Mount Vernon

“I was born an Iowan and have been a registered Republican for many decades.  Jesus said, ‘Feed the hungry’ and never said, ‘Own the Libs.’” – John in Iowa City

“Governor Reynolds, I suggest that you sit down with children…Speak to them about their summertime nutrition and sources of food.  You would probably come to realize that it is unwise to turn down this funding again.” – Patricia in Fort Dodge

“This should have been a ‘no brainer’ for our state. There is no valid reason to not utilize this funding for Iowa’s children. Low income kids need the resources available to help them grow and thrive. The funds help families afford good food choices.” – Nancy in Neola

“Seems like common sense to do all we can to make sure children are fed.” – Deborah in Atlantic

“What kind of dystopia requires advocating to feed kids? Meeting basic needs is the building block for success in school and in life. This should not even be a discussion.” – Kim in Des Moines

“Crazy that I am having to sign a petition to ensure this happens.” – Amanda in Diagonal