Pillen opts into $18 million child nutrition program after initially rejecting funds

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Gov. Jim Pillen decided Monday to opt into an $18 million child nutrition program after initially rejecting the funds.

Last year, Congress authorized a Summer EBT program for children whose household income makes them eligible for free and reduced school lunches.

Each child would receive a $120 electronic benefits transfer card to help buy food during the summer months. 

In December, Pillen’s administration declined to participate in the program, despite advocates pushing for him to opt in.

He was concerned that the Summer EBT program wouldn’t have the support already available in the state’s Summer Food Service Program, according to a spokeswoman.

Pillen’s team then worked with state agencies to create a program that would work in conjunction with the Summer Food Service Program.

The Summer EBT program will now ensure kids and families have access to resources that can help them with food insecurity and other “more challenging issues,” the spokeswoman said.

In a press release, State Sen. Jen Day of Omaha thanked Pillen for listening to “countless” Nebraskans who asked him to rethink his decision.

“We kept this issue front and center the last few weeks, engaged with impacted Nebraskans and applied the right amount of pressure,” she said in a statement. “I am proud to have led this bipartisan effort to ensure that Nebraska kids have food on the table all year round. This is great news for our kids, families, local ag producers and local businesses.”