Every summer, millions of children across the country lose access to free and reduced-price school meals – the dependable breakfasts and lunches that help them stay focused and healthy during the academic year. Claudia Garcia, a mom of three children ages 10, 14 and 18, feels the effect this has on her family.
“In the summer, when the kids are in the house, they eat more. I have to think more about food for them because they’re not getting it in school, so they need more food at home,” she said. To help with this need, last summer Garcia was grateful to receive $360 in Summer EBT benefits, or $120 per child.
“I used this money to buy things like fruits and snacks for them, things that would keep them full until their next meal,” she said.
Launched last year, Summer EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) is a federal program that provides families with school-aged children a one-time benefit of $120 per eligible child on an EBT card they can use to buy groceries during the months when school is out.
A family receives groceries and fresh produce from Common Pantry in North Center (Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis.)
“This benefit helped me so much last summer,” Garcia said. “Without it, I wouldn’t be able to feed them the things they want throughout the day. It would be a lot harder to keep them full.”
When school ends, hunger rises
In the Chicago metro area, one in four households with children experience food insecurity – and the need often becomes more acute when school lets out for the summer. Children typically consume up to 50 percent of their daily calories at school, so when those meals disappear, the strain on families can be overwhelming.
Summer meal programs, like those hosted by community organizations in partnership with the Food Depository, work hard to fill the gap, but they can’t reach everyone. Sites aren’t available in every neighborhood, and some only operate for a few weeks.
Samson gets ready to enjoy breakfast at Hyde Park Neighborhood Club summer camp (Photo by Nancy Stone for the Food Depository.)
Without school buses running, transportation is a major barrier to food access. That’s why uptake is low: fewer than 12 percent of children who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the academic year participate in summer meal programs.
As a result, many kids lack proper nutrition in the summer months. Research shows that students who don’t get enough to eat during the summer are more likely to suffer long-term health effects and return to school in the fall two months behind in reading, a phenomenon known as the “summer slide.”
A new solution: Summer EBT
To address this growing need, in 2024 the federal government launched Summer EBT – a program designed to help families bridge the summer nutrition gap. Last year, more than 1.2 million children in Illinois received support through the program.
“It helped us so much last summer,” said Nancy Martinez, a mother of two from Archer Heights. “I was able to buy essentials for my kids. I bought chicken, meat, fruit and vegetables. The things that they like and that are good for them. It helped us get through the summer.”
To qualify for Summer EBT, families must have school-aged children and meet income guidelines – generally under 185 percent of the federal poverty line. For example, a family of four earning less than $57,720 a year would likely qualify. This year, most qualifying children are automatically enrolled in the program, especially those participating in programs like SNAP, Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
A girl receives food from Christian Life Food Center food pantry in Berwyn (Photo by Abel Uribe for the Food Depository.)
Families who are not automatically enrolled can check their eligibility quickly using the State of Illinois’ online tool at WeGotYouIllinois.org, where they can also apply if needed. It’s important to note that eligibility does not depend on citizenship status, and families can receive both Summer EBT benefits and free summer meals. The deadline to enroll for Summer 2025 benefits is August 13.
Why Summer EBT matters
Unlike traditional summer meal sites, which families must travel to, Summer EBT gives parents and caregivers the freedom to shop for the foods their children want and need, right in their own neighborhoods. And it’s designed to complement, not replace, free summer meals.
The benefits are also good for Illinois’ economy. With over $150 million in benefits distributed last summer, the program is expected to generate up to $270 million in economic activity across the state this summer by encouraging local grocery purchases.
A family shops for groceries at Grace and Peace food pantry in Hermosa (Photo by Jim Vondruska for the Food Depository.)
“I hope this program continues every year,” said Rosalba Rodriguez, 52, who has one school-aged child. “Right now, the situation is very difficult. It’s hard for people to be able to afford a lot of things. This benefit really helps me, and it helps a lot of people.”
A shared commitment to ending hunger
As co-chair of the Illinois Commission to End Hunger, the Food Depository is helping lead a statewide awareness campaign to make sure families know about this new program.
We believe no child in Illinois should go hungry during the summer. With Summer EBT and strong community partnerships, we can ensure that children have the consistent nutrition they need to grow, learn and thrive – every season of the year.
Find out if your child is already enrolled in Summer EBT or if you need to apply, and locate free summer meal sites near you, at WeGotYouIllinois.org.
Share This Post
