Sherwood, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders rolled up her sleeves and stepped into action this week, joining the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance at Cato Elementary School to kick off a vital summer nutrition initiative aimed at helping children access healthy meals during the break from school.
Standing under the warm Arkansas sun, Governor Sanders addressed families, volunteers, and community members gathered for the Summer Nutrition Kickoff – a key event highlighting the state’s growing efforts to tackle food insecurity among children.
“We are proud to make Arkansas the first state in the South to offer free school breakfast to every public school student,” Governor Sanders said in her remarks. “Programs like these ensure no child starts their day hungry – in the classroom or out.”
The event was more than symbolic. Governor Sanders personally helped hand out meals to families, reinforcing the importance of ensuring that kids who rely on school meals during the year don’t go without during the summer.
This effort ties into the state’s involvement in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Nutrition Programs, which include the Summer EBT program. Through this program, eligible children receive $120 in food assistance to help cover nutrition needs during the summer months. Last year, more than 290,000 Arkansas students benefited from the program — a number that’s expected to rise this year as awareness and participation increase.
“As part of my broader strategy to fight food insecurity, we’re working hard to make sure kids across Arkansas have access to healthy meals, even when school’s out,” the Governor said.
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the nonprofit that hosted the event, has been a leading force in distributing to-go meals at the Cato Elementary School site since early June. Their mission aligns with the Governor’s priorities: making sure every child, regardless of background, has the nutrition they need to grow and succeed.
“The Hunger Relief Alliance has been an incredible partner,” Governor Sanders added. “They are doing the work on the ground to ensure kids don’t fall through the cracks during the summer months.”
Volunteers at the event echoed the importance of the initiative, noting that for many families, the added support during the summer is not just helpful — it’s essential.
The Governor’s appearance sent a clear message: fighting childhood hunger in Arkansas is not just a policy priority, it’s a shared responsibility between the government, nonprofits, and local communities. With programs like Summer EBT and universal school breakfasts gaining momentum, Arkansas is positioning itself as a leader in ensuring no child is left behind at the lunch table.
A livestream of Governor Sanders’ full remarks can be accessed here.
