5,300 Children to be Served

The USDA has again awarded grant funding to Missouri to implement Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) for the summer of 2012. This summer, the funding will provide benefits for approximately 5,300 children in the Saint Louis Public Schools through ARCHS.

The Saint Louis Public School families selected for SEBTC benefits are in the process of being notified and will receive $60 per month per child in June and July, and a pro-rated amount in May and August based upon the school district’s schedule. With 5,300 children expected to receive benefits this summer, St. Louis area stores and farmer’s markets will redeem over $800,000 in SEBTC benefits. The benefits  expire when school resumes in August  because children will have  free and reduced price meals available during school hours.

All households in the demonstration areas with children from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade who receive free and reduced price meals at school were qualified to be considered for SEBTC. Because this was a demonstration project, some families were randomly selected this spring to receive the benefit and others, who were not selected, will participate in surveys. USDA requires the project to be evaluated each year by a national research firm, resulting in a report to Congress