ORLANDO, Fla. — This past December, Congress approved a permanent summer meal program for kids, but Florida is one of the few states not participating.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida and 14 other states declined to opt in to a program that could have allowed for more funds for families enrolled in SNAP

  • It's estimiated that 2 million children will be effected by the decision

  • If enrolled, $250 million would have come to Florida to fund the program

According to the White House, the state would have received $250 million, and the program could have benefited around two million Florida children.

Some parents are worried about the help they’ll receive this summer.

Playing outside with one of her three children, Lexus Legrand, a single mom and part-time worker, says she relies on her EBT card to feed her family of four.

“Very challenging,” she said. “Especially with the economy and jobs, and the ups and downs with jobs. It is very good to have food stamps to feed your children.”

During the summer months when school is out, Legrand said she relies on the combination of free lunches at schools and her food stamps. She said feeding her children in the summer is one of her biggest worries, even thoush she does the best she can with the $202 a month she receives.

“I try to spend a $100 the first two weeks and then the rest the next two weeks,” Legrand said. “I try my best to make it stretch.”

Had Florida enrolled in the federal summer food aid program, Legrand could have gotten an extra $40 per child for the months of June, July, and August.

Without the extra funding going to her EBT card, she’s hoping schools will provide lunches, otherwise she said she will have to try a food pantry for the first time.

While Florida has chosen not to opt in to the funding for 2024, state leaders can still opt in for the program in the summer of 2025.