South Carolina’s Rejection of Summer Grocery Tax Relief Raises ConcernsSouth Carolina’s Rejection of Summer Grocery Tax Relief Raises Concerns South Carolina’s decision to opt out of federal grocery assistance for families during summer months has sparked criticism from social workers and advocates for vulnerable children. According to social worker accounts, many children in the state rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. Without summer grocery assistance, families struggle to provide adequate meals for their children. Despite the availability of lunch programs during summer, families still have to cover the costs of two additional meals per day. Backpack Buddy programs, while helpful, provide processed foods that may not be ideal for regular consumption. Children should not have to rely on charity for basic necessities like daily meals. Food banks, already under pressure, often face empty shelves. The federal government covers the entire cost of summer grocery aid, requiring states to fund only half of the administrative costs. With a large budget surplus, South Carolina could easily afford to support vulnerable children. Instead, Governor Henry McMaster has prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy. The spending plan he approved doubles the tax cut called for in a 2022 law. Advocates argue that investing in summer nutrition programs benefits society as a whole. Well-nourished children are healthier, perform better academically, and contribute to a stronger workforce. South Carolina needs to prioritize services for its most vulnerable citizens, including children. Rejecting summer grocery tax relief and pursuing tax cuts for the wealthy sends the wrong message.
I find it astonishing that South Carolina rejected the grocery tax increase for families when the kids are home for the summer.
As a social worker in South Carolina with many children on my caseload, I learned a lot about this problem a few years ago. Some children only went to school to eat. The school lunch was the only meal they could count on each day in the days leading up to the school breakfast.
Gov. Henry McMaster has opted out of the federal program that provides families with up to $120 a month in summer grocery assistance. He has pointed to existing food programs, including two that provide poor students with free prepared meals during the summer.
While lunch programs are available in the summer, families must still pay for two additional meals per day.
During the school year, their children would typically be able to eat two meals a week at school. Now, we have Backpack Buddies here in Horry County, who pack food for children to eat on the weekends. But these foods, while beneficial, are often highly processed and not the best choices for everyday use.
Children should not have to rely on this kind of charity for a basic need like a daily meal. Meanwhile, food banks are under pressure and often have empty shelves.
I suspect that not every family can get their children to the summer lunch programs. The more difficult the family situation, the more likely this is.
The federal government is covering the entire cost of the summer shopping aid added to debit cards. States are required to fund only half of the administrative costs.
With a large surplus of revenue, the state could well afford to feed vulnerable children.
McMaster could have recommended using a small portion of this money to feed children, so that later they would be more likely to be taxpayers rather than dependent on others.
But McMaster calls basic summer nutrition for children a “COVID-related perk.” Instead, the governor is backing the legislative move to further cut state income taxes. The spending plan sent to McMaster’s desk last week doubles the tax cut called for in a 2022 law over the coming year.
South Carolina, and especially the children there, need more services, not less.
The best way to ensure a bright future for the people of South Carolina, and especially our children, is to improve services to the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
Programs that ensure children are well-nourished benefit everyone. Well-nourished children are not only healthier, they also learn more easily. This will help SC create a stronger, healthier, and better-educated workforce in the future.
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