The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has announced a new proposal by the Lee Administration to invest $3 million in the Summer Food Service Program. This investment aims to provide additional support to families in underserved counties across Tennessee. If approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, the initiative will offer a one-time $120 payment to eligible children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter emphasized the importance of this step in ensuring food security for children during the summer months. The funds will be distributed through existing EBT cards, making it accessible to families in need.
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The proposed investment is set to be part of Governor Lee’s FY25-26 budget amendment. More details about the distribution process and program specifics are expected to be released in the coming months.
Eligibility for the program includes households with at least one school-aged child between five and eighteen years old residing in counties identified as unserved or underserved by the Summer Food Service Program.
The proposed investment seeks to enhance the reach of the Summer Food Service Program, which currently supports rural non-congregate meal sites. Last year, the program operated over 1,350 meal sites across Tennessee, serving approximately 3.4 million meals to children.
Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Education collaborates with TDHS to administer the Seamless Summer Feeding Option, allowing School Food Authorities to provide free meals during the summer and extended breaks.
TDHS also manages the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves over 300,000 children in Tennessee, providing essential food benefits to families in need.
For more information on these programs, please visit the [Tennessee Department of Human Services website](https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.pPcpUUrmN0MB3lLI57n3btOsCIKvw6b-2BiB00SzNRc-2FOkCsa8qIsCJUFrTDTivWqcdqF-_5OOxTcJtQ1F0AGWxzbhLClaAMi42Jx91t-2BslB1tr-2FZumvtiKTCZKhkwmtpbFsZK3YuGkz2L5JzyAYmstwF3TDx83B6UaEYkppyFUfXa4sjth4q-2F5nsdMGVQCUHdpj9h6Sf9RHHk17XdTG-2FUw1k-2FHO3E1i1Uns7rrTkDpm9WNihgImER-2BsFF7cNHUg3iuCih-2BOJ8QKCkC-2FNOY50G6Vro0hbK6OMe-2B9pc9t-2B1ST9izapI48TN4wxjTjN6bdnGu-2Beiu4ldLFTyvyzliqahHLW6Lm9Oy99kdc9ZgIT2lgCp4Pxx53qWEmYEfVhH4-2FC4l85KbQLYTvYdoAZ3JFRuM04BPKoQeYZijU0LbbCPQ81c7X7-2BJywDNYFKS-2FaBiu8tpGpEh__;!!PRtDf9A!u6XsW9ei456kloPv1nf6q7ZSzUfxK9E9e3SkqH3gtCBei4e5hZ93_hYzYek-nc1rbZALhziTSd96-a17qPZg6So$).
Source: Read Original Release
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