BOISE, Idaho — Some Idaho families are one step closer to getting help with groceries during the summer of 2025. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted to approve the Division of Welfare's budget on Wednesday, including roughly $1 million for the federal Summer EBT program.
"We're halfway there," said Dawn Pierce, Hunger Free America manager. "I'm feeling energized, rejuvenated and felt that maybe some of the education that I have been doing and the advocacy that we've been doing has been working."
Pierce started advocating for the program after Idaho opted out for this summer. She said it's a "mini-SNAP" program for low-income parents whose children qualify for free and reduced lunch at school. Families would get $40 per child each summer month.
She said half the money for Summer EBT comes from the federal government. The Department of Health and Welfare and the Department of Education plan on splitting the rest.
However, it all depends on whether both budgets get through the Statehouse. If everything gets the OK, Pierce said the program would help feed more than 100,000 kids.
JFAC approved the budget with a 16-4 vote. Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, voted no.
"This EBT is a massive new welfare program that families don't need and Idaho can't afford in the long run," he said. "And the tough thing is, if you give the money out at some point in time and all sudden that money comes away, it becomes a big issue."
Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, disagreed.
"I think it's important that children are fed," she said. "They can't learn if they're not fed, and they can't grow and mature the way they need to. So, I think these food programs are very important."
Summer EBT stems from Pandemic EBT, a program the federal government put in place to help feed kids learning from home. Pierce encourages interested community members to reach out to lawmakers about the new program.
"Forty dollars can make a world of difference to a family," she said. "I really hope that the legislative body can see how important and vital and just empowering Summer EBT can and will be for our kids."
In a statement sent to KTVB, a Health and Welfare spokesperson said, "We greatly appreciate the JFAC consideration and support of the new Summer EBT program during today's JFAC budget session and look forward to working closely with them as we move forward with this new program over the coming year."
It is unclear when JFAC will hear the Department of Education's budget, and which floor the Department of Health and Welfare's budget will go to first.
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