Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a $60 million budget item that would have delivered federal food assistance to Texas families in summer 2025, dashing hopes of added support for low-income children during the school break.
The veto cut off funding for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children program — known as “Summer EBT” or “Summer Bucks.” This federally funded initiative would have offered \$120 per eligible child to help families buy groceries when free school meals aren’t available.
“It’s all about taking care of our neighbors,” said Verita Duncan, food pantry manager at West Houston Assistance Ministries, a nonprofit that supports families with food, clothing, and emergency financial aid.
Duncan said the need in the community has only increased.
That includes families like Mary Agudo’s. She’s a single mother doing her best to provide for her daughters.
“It’s hard because I’m a single mom,” Agudo said through tears. “Sometimes I don’t have a car, sometimes I don’t have transportation. So finding things is very difficult for me.”
Anti-hunger advocates across Texas had hoped the Summer Bucks program would ease the burden on families like Agudo’s. Despite being fully funded by the federal government — with only administrative costs falling to the state — Texas remains one of the few states choosing not to participate.
Carol Kameron, a mother of three, called the decision heartbreaking.
“He needs to think about that — how many kids will go hungry without this program,” she said, referring to the governor’s veto.
Gov. Abbott defended his decision by pointing to financial concerns. “There is significant uncertainty regarding federal matching rates for this and other similar programs,” he wrote in a statement.
Meanwhile, local organizations like West Houston Assistance Ministries say they’ll keep helping however they can — though they’re already stretched thin.
Families in need can visit WHAM’s food pantry or find more information about support services at whamministries.org.
