South Carolina’s Failure to Support Families During Summer MonthsSouth Carolina’s Failure to Support Families During Summer Months South Carolina’s rejection of a grocery tax increase to provide summer grocery assistance for families with children is a glaring oversight that exposes the state’s disregard for the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens. As a social worker in South Carolina, I have witnessed firsthand the dire needs of children who rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. During the summer months, when these meals are unavailable, families face an insurmountable challenge in providing adequate food for their growing children. While lunch programs are available during the summer, they fall short of meeting the daily meal requirements of children. Families are left to pay for two additional meals per day, a significant financial burden for many already struggling households. The federal government’s summer grocery assistance program, which would have provided families with up to $120 a month, was an invaluable lifeline. However, Governor Henry McMaster’s decision to opt out of this program has deprived families of this critical support. The governor’s argument that existing food programs are sufficient is simply not true. Food banks are overwhelmed and often face shortages. Backpack Buddies, while commendable, provide processed foods that are not suitable for everyday consumption. Children should not have to rely on charity for their basic needs. The state has a surplus of revenue and could easily afford to invest in the health and well-being of its children. By prioritizing tax cuts over essential services, Governor McMaster has demonstrated his lack of compassion and foresight. Investing in children is not a “perk” but a fundamental investment in the future of our state. Well-nourished children are healthier, learn more effectively, and contribute more to our society. South Carolina needs more services for its poorest and most vulnerable citizens, not less. Rejecting federal assistance that would have provided much-needed relief to struggling families is a shameful abdication of responsibility.
I find it astonishing that South Carolina rejected the grocery tax increase for families when the kids are home for the summer.
As a social worker in South Carolina with many children on my caseload, I learned a lot about this problem a few years ago. Some children only went to school to eat. The school lunch was the only meal they could count on each day in the days leading up to the school breakfast.
Gov. Henry McMaster has opted out of the federal program that provides families with up to $120 a month in summer grocery assistance. He has pointed to existing food programs, including two that provide poor students with free prepared meals during the summer.
While lunch programs are available in the summer, families must still pay for two additional meals per day.
During the school year, their children would typically be able to eat two meals a week at school. Now, we have Backpack Buddies here in Horry County, who pack food for children to eat on the weekends. But these foods, while beneficial, are often highly processed and not the best choices for everyday use.
Children should not have to rely on this kind of charity for a basic need like a daily meal. Meanwhile, food banks are under pressure and often have empty shelves.
I suspect that not every family can get their children to the summer lunch programs. The more difficult the family situation, the more likely this is.
The federal government is covering the entire cost of the summer shopping aid added to debit cards. States are required to fund only half of the administrative costs.
With a large surplus of revenue, the state could well afford to feed vulnerable children.
McMaster could have recommended using a small portion of this money to feed children, so that later they would be more likely to be taxpayers rather than dependent on others.
But McMaster calls basic summer nutrition for children a “COVID-related perk.” Instead, the governor is backing the legislative move to further cut state income taxes. The spending plan sent to McMaster’s desk last week doubles the tax cut called for in a 2022 law over the coming year.
South Carolina, and especially the children there, need more services, not less.
The best way to ensure a bright future for the people of South Carolina, and especially our children, is to improve services to the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
Programs that ensure children are well-nourished benefit everyone. Well-nourished children are not only healthier, they also learn more easily. This will help SC create a stronger, healthier, and better-educated workforce in the future.
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