PETAL — Federal food aid has dwindled after Gov. Tate Reeves opted out of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program for the second year in a row, leaving more families in southeast Mississippi struggling to put food on the table.

Food banks are overwhelmed, and local groups are racing to help. With summer approaching, the need is growing — but are there enough resources to fill the gap?

Food banks feeling the strain 

“I tell everybody it’s feast or famine, we never know what we’re going to have or when we’re going to have it,” said Mary McMichael, office manager at Petal Children’s Task Force, which offers food assistance.

Mississippi is classified as one of the hungriest states in the nation. Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, reports that almost one in five Mississippians — about 553,610 people — don’t have enough to eat.

Feeding America also reports one in four children in Mississippi — about 159,370 — face hunger. That same report clarified it would take over $380 million to meet the food needs of every hungry person in the state.

“When you can’t feed your children, you know, you panic behind that. So, the cuts have affected them, and it trickles down to us,” said Pastor Arnold Larry with the Lord’s Pantry in Jackson.

Although food pantries are feeling the pressure, they are showing empathy for those in need.

“The little thousand dollars a month that we put in is not quite enough to handle the load that we have or the demand that we have,” Larry said. ” I like to make sure when people come — if they’re three or four or five or six people within that family — that they get enough to supplement them for at least a week or a week and a half.”

Why Mississippi opted out

According to RHCJC News partner Mississippi Today, Reeves declined to opt into the federal summer food program, SUN Bucks, which helps families with school-aged children buy healthy food all summer long.

Reeves rejected the program to avoid “attempts to expand welfare in the state,” according to Mississippi Today.

However, in a 2024 report, representatives from the Mississippi Department of Human Services claimed they lacked the resources to adequately implement the program. Alongside Mississippi, 11 other states chose not to opt in SUN Bucks with the same reasoning.

 

Reeves’ decision to reject SUN Bucks is consistent with Mississippi’s history of declining federally funded assistance programs, including those related to welfare and health care. For example, the state has continued to opt out of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which could extend health care coverage to thousands of low-income residents.

RHCJC News partner The Pine Belt News reported the federal food program would have provided each eligible child $40 a month in grocery assistance, bringing an estimated $38 million into the state last year. Feeding America states that many grocery stores, farmers’ markets, convenience stores and online retailers accept SUN Bucks.

Often, these are the same places that accept government programs SNAP and WIC. Other items you can use SUN Bucks to pay for include:

— Fruits and vegetables.

— Meat, poultry and fish.

— Dairy products.

— Breads and cereals.

— Snack foods.

— Non-alcoholic drinks.

“We see that the food prices have increased, and it is hard for families to purchase food,” said Frances Nixon, a social worker and case manager at Salvation Army in Hattiesburg. “What I have seen, especially with families with children – (they’re) struggling in trying to make sure that their children are eating.”

She said that the number of people needing food has increased tremendously in recent months, and they are working tirelessly to ensure no one goes hungry.

Food insecurity in Mississippi 

Food insecurity — the lack of access to sufficient, nutritious food — has serious social and health consequences, often stemming from unemployment, poverty and financial instability.

Mississippi residents spend a higher percentage of their income on groceries compared to other states. Factors such as a 7% tax on food sales — the highest state-imposed grocery tax in the U.S. — and lower median incomes contribute to this disparity.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that 1% of households with children (374,000 households) had very low food security, a rate similar to 2022 (1.0%, 381,000 households) and 2021 (0.7%, 274,000 households).

In southeast Mississippi, thousands of people experience food insecurity with the issue presenting itself in several ways, including:

— Uncertainty about where the next meal will come from.

— Skipping meals or reducing portion sizes.

— Limited access to fresh produce and other healthy food options.

— Reliance on convenience stores due to the absence of nearby supermarkets.

— Facing difficult choices between paying for rent, medical care or food.

“Sometimes we do see some challenges and a demand for food … especially when we (don’t) have enough to meet the need of the people,” Nixon said. “That’s when I try to refer clients to other agencies that may have the assistance.”

Preparing for the summer strain

As food pantries prepare for summer, Larry said the need will only increase without summer feeding programs.

“I’m getting more calls now, and they’re probably going to increase the closer we get to summer and everything,” he said. “They’re going to increase, and I just hope that I can meet the demand of the people.”

According to national nonprofit Move for Hunger, without successful feeding programs, there is a greater burden on hunger relief organizations that are already stretched to their limits.

There are also negative effects on those without access to nutritious food.

The Center for American Progress, a public policy research and advocacy organization which presents a liberal viewpoint on economic and social issues, reports that hunger harms both mental and physical health, leading to higher rates of illness and developmental issues, especially in children.

It lowers academic achievement, limits potential, and increases health care costs and dependence on government aid, ultimately weakening families and the economy.

Seeking solutions 

Efforts are underway to decrease the number of food-insecure children. At the Salvation Army, Nixon’s team is prepared to do more.

“I’m anticipating that (the number of children served) will be spike since they’re at home. Working parents are working and trying to make sure food is on the table,” Nixon said.

In Jackson, Springboard to Opportunities, a non-profit organization that connects families with resources and programs, will again provide cash assistance to families over the summer. The organization launched the program in 2024 to meet increased need after the state opted out of the summer EBT program.

“The need is needed,” said Nixon. “It’s drastic, and I’m so glad that we’re able to work with other agencies to collaborate with other agencies to make sure that this need is met for the community.”

The Agriculture Department’s Food and Nutrition Service oversees Summer Food Service Program sites, which provide meals to school-age children during extended vacation periods. This summer, locations include places where children gather like schools, playgrounds, community centers and churches.

Despite efforts by food banks and community organizations, food insecurity in Mississippi continues to increase, particularly as summer nears. While nonprofits work to fill the gap, they also look for long-term solutions to offset food insecurity at the base level.

This article first appeared on RHCJC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.