For the second year in a row, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has refused federal funding that could have helped feed hundreds of thousands of low-income children during the summer. By once again rejecting the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (SUNbucks) program, Mississippi has chosen to deny $38 million in aid meant to support families struggling with food insecurity.
The SUNbucks program, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides $40 per child per month—a total of $120 over the summer—to families who rely on free and reduced-price school meals during the school year. When schools close for the summer, many of these children are left without reliable access to food, making programs like this a critical safety net.
Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the nation, has an alarmingly high rate of child food insecurity, with nearly one in four children facing hunger. Yet, instead of accepting funds that could ease the burden on families, the state government has chosen to turn them away—again.
Governor Tate Reeves defended his decision by stating that he opposes expanding government assistance programs. However, critics argue that this choice has nothing to do with fiscal responsibility and everything to do with political posturing. The funds from the SUNbucks program come entirely from the federal government, meaning Mississippi taxpayers wouldn’t pay a dime—yet the state still refuses to participate.
Meanwhile, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) has cited lack of resources and workforce limitations as a reason for opting out. But with millions of federal dollars available, many question why the state won’t find a way to make the program work for the sake of its children.
Without SUNbucks, families already living in poverty will have to stretch their limited resources even further this summer. Parents who rely on school meals to keep their children fed now face an even harder financial struggle, especially with the rising cost of food.
Local organizations have stepped in where they can, but they cannot replace the scale of aid that the SUNbucks program would provide. For instance, Springboard to Opportunities, a Jackson-based nonprofit, launched its own summer food assistance program in 2024. However, their reach was limited to just 672 children, leaving hundreds of thousands without support.
While Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas have embraced the SUNbucks program, Mississippi continues to reject it, even as hunger worsens in the state. By opting out, the governor is not just denying assistance to struggling families—he is refusing millions in federal aid that could also boost the local economy by increasing food purchases at grocery stores.
Governor Reeves’ decision is part of a larger pattern of refusing federal assistance aimed at helping low-income residents. In previous years, the state has also been slow to expand other safety net programs, despite the severe poverty affecting thousands.
With another hot Mississippi summer ahead, thousands of children will face empty plates, while the state government stands by and does nothing.
As other states move forward with federal programs to reduce hunger and support struggling families, Mississippi remains stuck in ideological battles that leave children as collateral damage.
How many more summers will Mississippi’s children have to suffer before real change happens?
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