{"id":36251,"date":"2023-06-15T15:46:06","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T20:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/governor-gianforte-montana-declines-millions-in-federal-food-assistance-for-children\/"},"modified":"2023-06-15T15:46:07","modified_gmt":"2023-06-15T20:46:07","slug":"governor-gianforte-montana-declines-millions-in-federal-food-assistance-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/governor-gianforte-montana-declines-millions-in-federal-food-assistance-for-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Gianforte, Montana declines millions in federal food assistance for children"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Jonathan Windy Boy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

HELENA, Mont. Earlier in June, the Gianforte administration, Montana announced it is opting out of $10 million of federal money that would have paid for children\u2019s meals this year, according to an estimate from the Montana Food Bank Network.<\/p>\n

Citing administrative burdens, a Department of Public Health and Human Services spokesperson said in a June email. The state will not participate in the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, or P-EBT, a program meant to be temporary for the 2022-23 school year or summer.<\/p>\n

The decision brings the total amount of dollars to address hunger the state has left on the table to more than $135 million since 2021, according to the Montana Budget and Policy Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I\u2019ve gathered from the state is that they don\u2019t see the need for P-EBT,\u201d said Jackie Semmens, with the Budget and Policy Center. \u201cAnd as a parent, I\u2019m getting emails every week from my school saying they\u2019re doing a food drive, they\u2019re doing a coin drive, to assist families over the summer.<\/p>\n

The Montana Indian Caucus of Montana Legislators recently discussed this issue and many agreed that the Governor should accept this funding.<\/p>\n

State Representative Jonathan Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree, Rocky Boy Reservation said: \u201cThis is completely outrageous. It would help low-income people across the State, especially Native Americans. There is both federal and state law which requires the Governor to hold government-government consultation with the Tribal governments about such matters, in effect since 2003, legislation carried by Windy Boy. He only uses that when it is convenient, such as mentioned in a previous veto message on two other Indian bills. \u00a0If the State does not want to be burdened with this money, I am sure the Tribes would gladly take it. We must find out if this is possible. Keep in mind, there is still a chance to change the Governor\u2019s thinking,\u201d Windy Boy explained.<\/p>\n

Here are some talking points:<\/p>\n

Governor Gianforte has said<\/a> his administration won\u2019t accept Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) that could provide $10 million in food assistance to 73,000 Montana children, and subsequently to the local economy and the 750 stores in the state that accept P-EBT.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If the Governor fails to accept the federal funds, the state will \u201cmiss its last opportunity to use full federal funding to build a summer benefit distribution system<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

A diverse coalition of advocates are calling on the Governor<\/a> to accept this year\u2019s P-EBT funds, including the Montana Food Bank Network, and 40 other organizations, including food banks, other nonprofits, churches, the ACLU of Montana, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and tribes.<\/p>\n

The Governor must act soon \u2013 federal guidance<\/a> requires all P-EBT benefits must be issued by Sept. 30, 2023.<\/p>\n

We know public pressure works! The Governor dragged his feet in 2022 <\/a>in accepting P-EBT funding, but after large public outcry, his administration reversed course and submitted an application.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Windy Boy reminds: \u201cThe money will be on the table until September. If we raise enough hell and develop allies, it might be very real to get this short-sighted and selfish thinking overturned. There are kids who are not sure where their meals are going to come from this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congress created P-EBT in March 2020 to help families whose children would have received free or reduced-price meals at school if the pandemic had not struck, and all 50 states used the program, according to the Children\u2019s Defense Fund. The national organization said it reached as many as 12.9 million children.<\/p>\n

Montana has received $94 million in P-EBT benefits since 2020, according to the State Budget Office. \u00a0<\/p>\n

SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which stands for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.<\/p>\n

Last year, after public outcry, the Health Department reversed course and applied for the funds for the 2021-22 school year, and former agency director Adam Meier then praised the federal government for being flexible with requirements.<\/p>\n

The application made the state eligible for summer support as well, and Montana received some $27 million last year, according to an earlier estimate from the Food Bank Network.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis program has been a valuable resource for thousands of Montana families in helping to supplement their food budgets, in a time when grocery costs continue to rise,\u201d said Meier in a May 2022 update from the Health Department about the program.<\/p>\n

The Health Department lists 96 schools or districts that participated last summer.<\/p>\n

He said administrators are adamant that during the school year, it\u2019s difficult for kids to learn if they\u2019re hungry. He also said many districts run summer meal programs because children are vulnerable then and don\u2019t have the same access to food through their schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe insecurity happens in the summer,\u201d Watson said.<\/p>\n

Bruce Day, executive director for Helena Food Share, said the food bank serves roughly one in five children in the Helena area. Since the pandemic, he said the organization has seen rising need.<\/p>\n

Day said Helena Food Share has seen an increasing number of families seeking assistance as well, 15% to 20% more every month year over year. That\u2019s 1,500 to 1,600 families a month, or roughly 3,000 individuals.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince coming out of COVID, we just continue to see the numbers rise,\u201d Day said.<\/p>\n

In the analysis, she pointed to Gov. Greg Gianforte\u2019s veto of a 2021 bill that would have helped SNAP recipients buy more fruits and vegetables at local farmer\u2019s markets; the state ending a pandemic-related boost to SNAP worth $125 million to communities; the state\u2019s decision not to apply for food assistance for children on free and reduced lunch last school year; and the tabling this legislative session of a bill that would have provided free school meals for students.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pattern of denial is having devastating consequences on Montana families,\u201d the blog post said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis decision comes at a time when families are hurting, trying to keep up with the cost of housing, childcare, and food,\u201d Burhop said. \u201cThe need for this program has not gone away.<\/p>\n

\u201cMontana\u2019s food pantries are struggling to provide enough food for the people coming through their doors. The state\u2019s decision to turn down these federal funds is a lost opportunity to help Montana families make ends meet and keep food on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis issue is important to the whole State of Montana\u201d Windy Boy said, \u201cbut is extremely important to our Native children.<\/p>\n

Tell the Governor to accept P-EBT Funding from the federal government so Montana kids don\u2019t go hungry. Do this ASAP! The Governor must accept the funding by the end of the Summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Call the Governor\u2019s office: 406-444-3111 or send him an email<\/a> at governor.mt.gov\/contact<\/a> or a fax at 406-444=5529\/<\/p>\n

For additional information or guidance feel free to contact Representative Windy Boy at rep32jwb@gmail.com<\/a>. \u201cAny input from concerned citizens will be helpful.<\/p>\n

(Contact Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post Governor Gianforte, Montana declines millions in federal food assistance for children<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/div>

Jonathan Windy Boy HELENA, Mont. Earlier in June, the Gianforte administration, Montana announced it is opting out of $10 million of federal money that would have paid for children\u2019s meals this year, according to an estimate from the Montana Food Bank Network. Citing administrative burdens, a Department of Public Health <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>
Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> June 15, 2023<\/p>\n

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