GBFB’s Statement on President Biden’s Build Back Better Act Framework Release
GBFB’s Statement on President Biden’s Build Back Better Act Framework Release
November 2, 2021 – The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) applauds the Build Back Better Act framework released by the White House last week, which includes significant child nutrition and anti-poverty investments. With Eastern Massachusetts projected to experience an increase of 47% in child food insecurity in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic according to Feeding America, bold action from Washington is needed in order to stem the tide.
The framework includes several key provisions, including:
- Extending the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program nationwide for students who are eligible for free and reduced-priced school meals, which will help 29 million children.
- Expanding the number of schools that can utilize the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which would grant access to free school meals to an additional 9 million children, and giving states the option to implement CEP statewide.
- Continuing the recent expansion of the Child Tax Credit, which has assisted the families of an additional 27 million children fully access this benefit.
A key component of GBFB’s mission to end hunger in Eastern Massachusetts is ensuring that children have adequate access to healthy food through our network of nearly 600 food distribution partners, including our 7 school-based pantries. The pandemic has exacerbated child food insecurity rates and disproportionally impacted our communities of color. We urge Congress to swiftly pass the Build Back Better Act with these child nutrition provision intact as we can continue to address the epidemic of child food insecurity and ensure that our children can grow, learn, and thrive. Together, we can end hunger here.