Gov. Bill Lee declines to secure millions in federal funds to feed Tennessee kids during summer

https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/06/gov-bill-lee-declines-to-secure-millions-in-federal-funds-to-feed-tennessee-kids-during-summer/

Lee has remained silent as faith leaders, county mayors, child advocates have urged him to accept more than $84 million for low income kids at risk for hunger.

Despite the urging of county mayors, child advocates, clergy and educators, Gov. Bill Lee has declined to secure millions of dollars in federal funding to provide food to low-income kids by the government’s Jan. 1 deadline.

Lee has remained quiet about the apparent decision to forgo approximately $84 million from the federal government’s Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks. In the past, the federal funding has helped feed 700,000 Tennessee kids during summer months when school is out. The governor’s office, for weeks, has not responded to reporters’ questions about whether he planned to participate in the federal Summer EBT.

On Monday, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that “Tennessee has not submitted their intent to participate in Summer EBT for 2026.

More at link.