Local kids’ hunger could spike this summer as aid program ends

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - School’s almost out for summer break, which means low-income families who rely on the school to feed their kids two a day will now have to figure out how to give them three.

In many states, these families can get help from the federal government paying for their groceries over the summer.

But not in Georgia and South Carolina, which opted out of continuing the summer EBT program.

That’s why LaDonna Doleman at the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen says she is worried about what this summer is going to look like.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said no earlier this year to continuing the summer EBT program. He said the program lacks basic nutrition requirements and can’t be sustained.

“That was a COVID-related benefit, extra,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said. “We’ve got to get back to doing normal business. We can’t be doing that forever.”

The program provides these low-income families with around $350 to $450 that is spread across three months.

Master’s Table is already serving nearly 10,000 trays a month. But once school is out, she expects the numbers to at least double, but she’s afraid they may actually triple.

“I am afraid of the numbers tripling and I do expect for the numbers to definitely go up,” said Doleman.

Dolman says summer is normally when they feed close to 400 kids.

The summer months are already hard on Golden Harvest Food Bank, which operates the soup kitchen. But this year, the problem is expected to be worse, and the food bank is calling on anyone who can lend a helping hand.

“The biggest that we will need at Golden Harvest is going to be not just donations, but also volunteers to be able to make those boxes that we can go out and give 1,000 boxes in a day,” said Doleman.

More hands mean more boxes of food filled.

“Make the boxes up to put them on the line and put all the stuff in them and then reload them back up, send them back into the warehouse so that when that day come, that they can be able to distribute them, they have them all,” said Doleman.

It’s making a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.

“The numbers of hunger has went up since 2019 and we all can feel it. I think that with the community coming together, ing together we can definitely make a difference in those that need that help,” said Doleman.

They need canned good and financial donations, as well as volunteers to pack and distribute boxes, serve food, and cook meals at the Master’s Table.

They serve food seven days a week, 365 days a year from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information on recommended food items to donate, visit https://goldenharvest.org/donate-food/what-to-donate/ and click here to sign up to volunteer.

Coming up

One way to help will come this weekend, during the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

On Saturday, letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations from residents nationwide to help combat food insecurity and provide food items to those in need.

Letter carriers will collect the donations as they deliver mail along their usual routes.

All donations accepted locally will be distributed by Golden Harvest Food Bank and its partner agencies across its 25-county service area.

“In the battle against hunger, unity is our greatest strength,” said Amy Breitmann, president and CEO of Golden Harvest. “Partnering with the NALC through the Stamp Out Hunger food drive each year reaffirms our dedication to our families in need and amplifies our commitment to making sure no one in our community goes hungry.”

The Stamp Out Hunger campaign has collected over 1.9 billion pounds of food for families experiencing food insecurity locally and nationwide since it was first held in 1983.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.