Hunger advocates call on Gov. Rhoden to administer federal program over the summer

Thirty-four state organizations have called on South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden to begin administering a program which would offer debit cards for food to low-income families during the summer months. The program is federally funded but administered by the state. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program offers $120 per child at $40 per month across three months to help eligible families purchase groceries in June, July and August. The money cannot be used to purchase prepared food. South Dakota is one of 11 states that do not offer the program.