Cleaver Applauds USDA Approval of Request For Pandemic EBT Funds for MO Families

(Kansas City, MO) – United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) approval for Missouri to access the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), a program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The program will assist families impacted by COVID-19 who already utilize EBT to receive an increase in funds and allow those who do not currently participate to sign-up for the program as an alternative to school districts' food distribution programs.

"It is of the utmost importance that we do everything we can to ensure food access for school children that would otherwise not receive a nutritious meal."– said Congressman Cleaver

"No matter how dire the situation may be, we cannot forget about those who are vulnerable to food insecurity during these moments of crisis. I applaud the USDA for working with us to approve access to this vital program."

Last month, Congressman Cleaver sent a letter to the Secretary of the USDA, Sonny Perdue, to approve Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (MO DESE) request to mobilize the P-EBT program.

You can find Congressman Cleaver's official letter here.

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Juan Ramiro Sarmiento at 816-842-4545 or Ramiro.Sarmiento@mail.house.gov