Leading Nonprofits Join Albertsons Companies Foundation in a First-of-Its-Kind Initiative to Tackle Summer Hunger Among Children in the U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

The Albertsons Companies Foundation has launched a new initiative to tackle childhood hunger during the summer months by raising awareness for the USDA's Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks.

This program provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-aged child in 37 states, all five U.S. territories, and two Tribes.

The initiative is a collaboration with leading nonprofit organizations like Feeding America, No Kid Hungry, and others, to maximize the reach and impact of the program.

A new website, SummerEBT.org, has been created to help families check their eligibility and access benefits. The initiative aims to reach millions of families and lay the groundwork for broader participation next year.

Positive

• Albertsons Companies Foundation is collaborating with prominent nonprofits, increasing the initiative's potential reach.
• The USDA's Summer EBT program provides $120 per eligible child, directly benefiting low-income families.
• The initiative covers 37 states, all five U.S. territories, and two Tribes, indicating extensive geographical coverage.
• The new website, SummerEBT.org, simplifies the process for families to check eligibility and access benefits.

Negative

• The initiative is dependent on the participation of states; some families may not benefit if their state does not participate.
• $120 per child may still be insufficient to fully address summer hunger for some families.

Coalition will raise awareness for the USDA’s new Summer EBT grocery benefits program

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Albertsons Companies Foundation today announced the launch of a new collective effort focused on addressing childhood hunger this summer. By bringing together a coalition of leading nonprofit organizations, the first-of-its-kind initiative aims to drive awareness and boost participation in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children Program (Summer EBT), also known as SUN Bucks.

“Childhood hunger is a complex problem that requires partners from across the food system to come together and collaborate,” said Christy Duncan Anderson, President and Executive Director of Albertsons Companies Foundation. “Through the collective knowledge, expertise and extensive network of prominent nonprofits and the Albertsons Companies Foundation, we aim to connect with a greater number of families than we could individually.”

For the millions of kids who rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. To help combat this, the USDA has launched Summer EBT, a new program available in 37 states, all five U.S. territories, and two Tribes. The program will provide grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children during the summer months when school is out. Eligible families in participating states will receive $120 per eligible school-aged child to purchase groceries.

“We have advocated for the creation of a summer EBT program like SUN Bucks for more than a decade and we are thrilled that this program will be available to families facing food insecurity this summer,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Working alongside people facing hunger and partners like Albertsons Companies Foundation, we will make a real impact on summer hunger and lay the groundwork for more states to participate next year.”

The Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors program together with an Advisory Group of leading players across the food system will work together to ensure as many families as possible benefit from the program in this critical first year. The Advisory Group is comprised of representatives from Feeding America®, Food Research & Action Center, Gift Card Bank, Hunger Free America, mRelief, No Kid Hungry, Partnership for a Healthier America, and WhyHunger. This group reaches more than 200 foodbanks, 500 school districts and community organizations, and over 1500 partner organizations across the country.

“Summer is the hungriest time of the year for the millions of children who rely on school meals, and the rising costs of groceries means families are feeling the pinch even more,” added Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. “We believe that by joining Albertsons Companies Foundation and their partners, together we can get one step closer to ensuring every single child in America has the food they need to grow up healthy and strong.”

Through a surround-sound approach designed to reach parents and caregivers online and, in their communities, the initiative aims to ensure families have access to the information they need to learn how they can benefit from this new program.

In addition, the coalition launched a new website, SummerEBT.org, which gives families a simple, fast way to check if they are eligible and connect to their state sign-up site. For families that live in states that are not participating, the site directs them to other food resources, such as the USDA Summer Meals program, and enables them write to their elected representatives encouraging their state’s participation next summer.

About Nourishing Neighbors

Nourishing Neighbors is the signature cause platform of the Albertsons Companies Foundation operating under 17 banners including Safeway, Albertsons, ACME, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Vons. The program is dedicated to ensuring that at-risk children, adults, seniors and families have access to nutritious food needed to thrive. In 2023, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed more than $350 million in food and financial support, including more than $35 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities and those impacted by disasters have enough to eat. The Foundation is committed to enabling the donation of one billion meals by 2030 and actively championing innovative programs and partnerships to help break the cycle of hunger in the neighborhoods we serve.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. As of February 24, 2024, the Company operated 2,269 retail stores with 1,725 pharmacies, 402 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities. The Company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under more than 20 well known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240612282567/en/

media@albertsons.com

Source: Albertsons Companies, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the Albertsons Companies Foundation's new initiative?

The initiative aims to address childhood hunger during the summer by raising awareness for the USDA's Summer EBT program.

What is the USDA's Summer EBT program?

The Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks, provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-aged child during the summer.

Which states participate in the USDA's Summer EBT program?

The program is available in 37 states, all five U.S. territories, and two Tribes.

How can families check if they are eligible for the Summer EBT program?

Families can visit the new website, SummerEBT.org, to check their eligibility and access benefits.

What organizations are collaborating with the Albertsons Companies Foundation?

The initiative includes partnerships with Feeding America, No Kid Hungry, Food Research & Action Center, and others.