Georgia

Georgia Is Turning Away Federal Funds That Would Feed Kids Next Summer

Published

5 months ago

August 16, 2024

Georgia Is Turning Away Federal Funds That Would Feed Kids Next Summer

For the second year, it looks likely that Georgia won’t participate in a federal program that helps feed hungry families during the summertime.

Summer EBT, also called Sun Bucks, provides qualifying families with $120 for each eligible child in their household. Congress approved the program in 2022 to help feed children who receive free and reduced-price lunches at school during summer break, when schools are closed or have limited hours.

But Aug. 15 was the first deadline for states to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture if they plan to participate next year in Summer EBT, and the governor’s office has not provided clarity on Georgia’s decision. On Thursday, it did not immediately respond for comment on whether Georgia submitted a plan.

Two communities that could be greatly impacted by Georgia’s decision about Summer EBT are Black and rural residents in need of food assistance.

“There have been significant increases in food insecurity really across all demographic groups over the past couple of years, but Black families are significantly more likely to experience food insecurity than white families for sure, and more likely to experience food insecurity than any other large demographic group in our state,” said Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Earlier in the week, Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp, said in an email to Capital B that the state still had concerns around the “lack of nutrition standards” and “fiscal sustainability” of the program. Instead, the state will continue to promote its two summer feeding programs. In a separate email, Douglas said that the state’s Department of Human Services would “confirm” the state’s decision on Summer EBT “when the time comes.”

“In my mind that means that there are all these children during the summer who have nothing to eat, and, as a mom, I find that unconscionable,” said U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath in an interview with Capital B last month after she sent a letter in July to Kemp urging him to opt into the program. McBath, who represents Georgia’s 7th Congressional District, sent another letter to the governor in August with several Democratic state lawmakers, apparently to no avail.

Summer EBT does require that states split half of the administrative costs for the program with the federal government. According to Kemp’s office, Georgia would need to contribute $4.5 million. In July, the USDA announced grant funding to help states cover those costs, but this doesn’t seem to have changed the governor’s mind.

Georgia is one of at least 12 states that opted out of Summer EBT in its first year, according to the USDA’s website. By leaving federal dollars on the table, an estimated 1.2 million eligible children across the state will miss out on money next summer that might have assisted in paying for groceries in their homes. It happens as the cost of groceries has climbed by roughly 25% since February 2020, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and as nonprofit organizations are seeing an increase in demand for food assistance.

Interviews with food bank workers, farmers, and state officials ahead of the federal deadline outlined the current challenges that families in need face with finding food assistance in the summer. They include transportation challenges, inconvenient mealtimes at feeding sites, or lack of availability of feeding sites altogether.

Summer feeding program issues

While Georgia did not participate in Summer EBT this year, the state pointed Georgians toward the state’s existing summer feeding programs.

Georgia offers Happy Helpings, run by the Department of Early Care and Learning, and Seamless Summer Option, run by Georgia’s Department of Education. Both have designated sites where meals are served to school-age children in the summer, and both are funded through the USDA.

Seamless Summer Option provided more than 2.5 million breakfasts and 3.2 million lunches, and Happy Helpings served 2.8 million meals in 2023, according to Kemp’s office.

But those who work closely with families looking for food assistance say these programs are not serving as many children as they need to due to accessibility challenges.

Danah Craft, the executive director of Feeding Georgia, which is a statewide network of food banks, said that only around 13% of the students that qualify for free and reduced lunch are being served in the summer by these programs.

Craft said that many families struggle getting to the summer feeding sites because of transportation challenges during the summer and because some sites have short windows of time for eating or picking up meals.

“If children have parents who are working or if they don’t have transportation to be able to drive to where the location is, they’re not going to have access and the meal times are very prescribed,” said Craft. “You have to pick up the food, or you have to eat the meals, like between 11 a.m and 1 p.m. So there’s a lot of wonderful things about that program — it’s just not reaching enough people.”

Accessibility issues with the feeding programs are exacerbated by the fact that some counties don’t have meal sites available in their communities, and some sites end operation before the summer break is over.

Of Georgia’s 159 counties, 100 had feeding sites under the Happy Helpings program this year, up from 85 two years ago, said Cindy Kicklighter, an official with the Department of Early Care and Learning. She added that some counties missed by that program could still be served by Seamless Summer.

According to Feeding Georgia, of the meal sites that don’t require registration, 585 shut down in July. Many of those sites were with the Seamless Summer Option.

Linette Dodson, the Georgia state school nutrition director with the state’s Department of Education, said that while the parameters in Georgia for the Seamless Summer Option require that sites operate when “school is not in session,” the timeline for that operation depends on what resources are available locally with schools. She said that “several districts” operated for the full summer.

“Each district determines what they have the capacity to really support because typically this is done by the staff that works throughout the school year, and there’s always a lot of work that has to be done in preparation for the start of school when the buildings open back up,” said Dodson.

Increasing need

With access already a challenge, advocates say residents across the state are in need of extra food assistance this year.

Ashley Keyes, executive chef for the Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully, said nonprofits like her organization, which does pop-up food pantry events throughout the year, have been stretched thin for food resources due to the rise in need for food assistance.

Her organization is facing dual pressures. On one hand, more families are looking for assistance. On the other, there’s less food to distribute.

“What we’ve seen from that is a decrease in the number of families we serve. On average, we served 600 to 800 families twice monthly,” Keyes said. “Now we serve about 300 families a month.”

Waide, of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, said he’s seen lines lengthen at food pantries across metro Atlanta and in north Georgia because financial assistance programs that were previously available during the pandemic are now gone.

“So you have fewer resources that are being provided to people at the same time that their cost of living has gone up tremendously, and that’s causing more and more people to need help, which means we’re serving more people than we ever have,” he said.

“The food that’s available for us through donated sources and through federal commodities, it’s just not growing fast enough to keep up with the level of need.”

Black and rural disparities

That level of need has only grown among the ranks of Georgians who are food insecure and also either Black or live in rural areas. Those residents face higher barriers when accessing food for their families, including food deserts and inadequate infrastructure. Black residents are two times more likely to experience food insecurity compared to white residents, Waide said, based on the data gathered by his organization across 29 counties.

State Rep. Imani Barnes, a DeKalb County Democrat, said Black residents in some parts of her district often have less access to healthy foods compared to wealthier, whiter areas. That forces many to turn to less nutritious options like fast food or even buying groceries at gas stations, dollar stores, or convenience stores.

“If that’s what’s in walking distance, then that’s what we’re most likely to eat. And so what you’ll notice is hypertension and high obesity is prevalent more in the Black community,” said Barnes.

Keyes said that limited access to fresh produce due to food deserts, coupled with a history of illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, result in Black communities suffering greatly from food insecurity.

“It affects our population the most, I say, because of the lack of resources available to our communities,” she said. “If I go to a grocery store in downtown Atlanta or Buckhead, it looks totally different than if I go to East Point or College Park, just because of what is sold in those stores.”

Beverly Robinson runs a goat farm in rural Treutlen County, about 150 miles southeast of Atlanta. It’s one of the 59 Georgia counties that did not have a Happy Helpings meal site in 2023. The majority of those counties were rural.

Robinson said it’s common in rural areas for there to be only one grocery store, and for that store to be many miles from residential areas. Additionally, lots of people don’t have access to transportation, which can lead to inflated grocery prices, she said.

“When you’re in a community where you only have one of something, then price gouging happens because those merchants take advantage of the fact that the people can’t go anywhere else, which is a big issue in rural America,” she said.

Not too late?

While the Aug. 15 deadline is set forward by the USDA as a marker for states to help ensure that their Summer EBT program will be able to run effectively, it’s not the final say.

States are required to submit a Notice of Intent to participate in next year’s program no later than Jan. 1 to the USDA, and it wouldn’t be unprecedented for a state to join the Summer EBT program even after these deadlines.

Several states, including Louisiana, Vermont, and Nebraska, missed these deadlines in 2024 and had Summer EBT this past summer.

Those pushing for the program have not yet lost hope for a possibility of Summer EBT in Georgia. Craft said that her organization is going to continue to work with state officials and present to them their data around accessibility issues to summer meal sites in the hopes of making a convincing argument for why Summer EBT should exist in the future in the state.

McBath said that although she doesn’t understand the governor’s reasoning for not participating in Summer EBT, she’s determined to make sure that families in the state are being fed.

“We may never have an answer on why he’s chosen to make these various decisions. My goal is just to stay focused on making sure that I am equipping our children and our families to be successful going forward,” she said.

The post Georgia Is Turning Away Federal Funds That Would Feed Kids Next Summer appeared first on Capital B News – Atlanta.

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Man dies after being shot by Georgia state trooper during traffic stop in Coweta County, GBI says

Published

4 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Man dies after being shot by Georgia state trooper during traffic stop in Coweta County, GBI says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A man died after being shot by was a Georgia state trooper after he allegedly reached for a gun during a traffic stop, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

A Georgia state trooper stopped Cameron David James, 26, on I-85 in Coweta County around 8:45 p.m. Saturday. According to the GBI, James resisted arrest and was hit was a taser. It proved ineffective, and James allegedly reached into his car for a gun. A trooper then shot James.

According to the GBI, James then got back into his car and drove away before crashing his car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The GBI said they’ll give their case file to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review once they complete their independent investigation.

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The 18 Best Things To Do In Jekyll Island, Georgia

Published

12 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

The 18 Best Things To Do In Jekyll Island, Georgia

As you start juggling ideas for your next family vacation, romantic getaway, or girls’ trip, the charming Georgia Coast should be at the top of your list. Specifically, the mid-coastal area, that’s considered part of the Lowcountry. You’ve likely heard lots about St. Simons Island, but across the way is an equally wonderful and uniquely majestic island that definitely belongs on your radar: Jekyll Island.

A 7-mile barrier island, Jekyll Island is actually a designated state park. Follow the tidal marshlands all the way to the island gate, where you’ll pay the $10 park entrance fee. As you explore, you’ll soon realize this destination has both beauty and substance. Bike trails are surrounded by shining examples of the island’s pristine wilderness, and historical structures shaded by moss-draped oaks harken to the island’s past as an exclusive 19th century retreat for America’s elites. You’ll never be too far from iconic beaches like Driftwood Beach, but unlike those weathered trees, the island’s activities never run dry.

Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or something in between, this versatile destination is well-suited for every type of getaway. Here are the 18 best things to do on Jekyll Island.

Explore The Outdoors & Wildlife

Bike Through The Island

Two wheels will get you far on this 7-mile stretch. Maritime forests, beaches, historic sites, and abundant wildlife are all within easy reach thanks to more than 20 miles of paved bike paths on the Jekyll Island Trail System. Rent a beach cruiser and choose from five different loops, each offering its own version of scenic bliss.

Visit The Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Jekyll Island welcomes all, including the adorable sea turtles that migrate to the beaches from May to August each year. That’s why the Georgia Sea Turtle Center—the only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility in the state—was established in 2007. Sign up for one of their many summer programs, including sunrise and evening turtle walks, or take a behind the scenes tour of the facility. Budding photographers can even join a wildlife photography workshop.

jekyllisland.com; 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, Georgia; 912-635-4444

Spot Wildlife At Horton Pond

Tucked away on the eastern side of North Beach View Drive, this wildlife refuge is home to a thriving community of critters, from fish and birds to turtles and alligators. Enjoy expansive views of the entire pond from the wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms, or walk the 0.7 mile Tupelo Trail, which passes through many of the island’s maritime plant habitats.

jekyllisland.com; 970-964 N Loop Trail, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Get Your Feet Wet At The Water Park

Back-to-back beach days are certainly fun, but if you’re looking for a change of scenery, Summer Waves Water Park caters to thrill seekers, lazy river loungers, and everyone in between. Open seasonally from May to September, the park features exhilarating water slides like the Frantic Atlantic, Pirate’s Passage, and Nature’s Revenge—all ranked by level of thrill. The kid-friendly Splash Zone is equipped with water guns and a giant dunking bucket, while Shark Tooth Cove is perfect for little ones.

Play A Round Of Golf

Georgia’s largest public golf resort is located on—you guessed it—Jekyll Island. At Jekyll Island Golf Club, guests have their pick from three 18-hole golf courses: Pine Lakes, Indian Mound and Oleander. While you’re at it, take a swing at the historic Great Dunes, the 9-hole golf course constructed in 1926.

jekyllisland.com/activities/golf; 322 Captain Wylly Rd, Jekyll Island, GA 31527; 912-635-2368

Hit The Beach

Driftwood Beach

Decades of coastal storms and erosion have left behind what is now Jekyll Island’s most popular and uniquely beautiful beach. Resting on the northern end of the island, this little wonder of the world is home to sun-bleached, weathered trees—the ancient remains of a once-thriving maritime forest. Here, visitors trade sunbathing for tree climbing as giant gnarled branches and twisted roots form a natural jungle gym in the sand. And just when you think this place couldn’t get any more otherworldly, Three Oaks Farm offers guided horseback rides at the ocean’s edge during sunset.

Great Dunes Beach Park

While Driftwood Beach is sought after for its gnarly terrain, this 20-acre beachfront park attracts visitors with the opposite appeal: well-manicured, wide-open spaces. With public restrooms, picnic pavilions, grassy play areas, and wheelchair-friendly beach access, this park is well-suited for the whole family (and yes, that includes pups!).

jekyllisland.com; Beachview Dr. N & Shell Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

St. Andrews Beach Park

Taking the path less traveled promises quieter moments and equally beautiful views on Jekyll Island. Located on the south side of the island, the uncrowded St. Andrews Beach Park prompts you to enjoy a relaxing picnic, scour the sand for seashells, and spot birds and dolphins from the two-story wildlife viewing platform. Make sure to take a stroll along the Wanderer Memory Trail, which tells the story of one of America’s last known slave ships.

jekyllisland.com; 100 St Andrews Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Glory Beach

When portions of the 1989 Civil War drama Glory were filmed here, this island gem got its name. Glory Beach is accessible via a long elevated boardwalk thanks to the film’s producers, who built the structure to provide an easy path across the sand dunes and freshwater pools. As you stroll along the boardwalk, enjoy unobstructed views of nearby Cumberland Island and the sounds of nearby nesting birds, which thrive in large numbers here (so your dogs will have to miss out on this one).

jekyllisland.com; 700 S. Beachview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Learn Island History

Tour The Historic District By Trolley

When people say Jekyll Island has a rich history, they mean it quite literally. Long before this island became a relaxed getaway for families, it served as the home to Jekyll Island Club, an ultra-exclusive winter retreat for the nation’s wealthiest people. (Do the last names Pulitzer, Vanderbilt, and Rockefeller ring a bell?) Today, 34 beautifully-preserved historic structures still stand on the former Club grounds, including the Moss Cottage, Faith Chapel, and the old infirmary. A 60-minute Landmark Trolley Tour is one of the best ways to see all 240 acres of the historic district. Tickets also include entry to the Faith Chapel and Mosaic Gallery, an interactive museum highlighting both art and history.

Learn Important Stories At Wanderer Memory Trail

Hugging the banks of the Jekyll River, the Wanderer Memory Trail marks the site where one of the last known slave ships in America, the Wanderer, illegally came to shore. The self-guided, interactive trail unfolds the story of Umwalla, a young boy who was brought on the ship 160 years ago. Visitors can follow Umwalla’s journey–-from capture to freedom—and hear stories told by descendants of survivors through soundboxes. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a basket where you can write your own legacy and weave it into the display.

jekyllisland.com; St. Andrews Beach Park, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Take Your Picture At The Horton House

This eerily beautiful two-story structure is one of the oldest tabby buildings in Georgia, and it definitely looks the part. All that’s left of this 1743 home, once owned by Major William Horton, are the walls and openings that once held doors and windows. Standing in all its weathered glory, the building is now a popular backdrop in the photos of happy tourists.

jekyllisland.com; N. Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Go Shopping

Shop For Souvenirs At Beach Village

Just steps away from the beach, this Main Street shopping center houses a collection of colorful boutiques, specialty shops, and restaurants. Pick up some Jekyll Island swag at one of the many souvenir stores, or visit Jekyll Market, a gourmet grocery store offering a butcher counter, fresh produce, and four on-site restaurants. Don’t forget to visit The Salt Table for Georgia-based salts, seasonings, coffee, wine, and more.

Feast On Local Cuisine

Start Your Day At Sunrise Grille

If you have a hankering for casual American seaside fare, grab a table at Sunrise Grille. Guests speak highly of their steaks—served with eggs at breakfast and paired with fried shrimp at lunch and dinner. Dive into a hearty breakfast menu from 7 to 10 a.m., or head there at 11 a.m. for classic Southern favorites and a wide variety of seafood.

sunrisegrillejekyll.com; 21 Main St, Jekyll Island, GA 31527; 912-319-2376

Feast On Regional Seafood At Zachary’s Riverhouse

Courtesy of Zachry's Riverhouse — Courtesy of Zachry’s Riverhouse

Waterfront restaurants reign supreme on the island. On the riverside, Zachary’s RiverHouse is a go-to spot for Lowcountry seafood. Owned by DJ Zachary, the son of the original owners who opened the restaurant’s doors in 1987, this family-run eatery prides itself on attentive service and authentic dishes. Enjoy Georgia shrimp cooked every which way, and make sure to order a side of their popular cheesy grits.

zachrys-riverhouse-no-reservations.res-menu.com; 1 Harbor Rd Jekyll Island, GA 31527; 912-319-2174

Enjoy Baja Mexican Dining At Tortuga Jacks

The only oceanfront Tiki-style restaurant on the Georgia coast, Tortuga Jacks serves generous portions of Baja Mexican food alongside incredible views. Choose between street tacos, sizzling fajitas, classic surf and turf, and much more. As the sun sets, sip on margaritas at the authentic Tiki Hut Bar, and sway to live hometown music every Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday during the summer months.

tortugajacks.com; 201 Beachview Dr N, Jekyll Island, GA 31527; 912-342-2600

Have Dinner At The Wharf

Sitting on the historic Jekyll Pier, this airy restaurant is surrounded by marshy waters, muddy oyster beds, and scenic views of the river. Enjoy a full menu of Lowcountry seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and crafted cocktails, and head to the deck for live music every Thursday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

jekyllclub.com; 371 Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527; 912-635-3612

Rest Your Head

Stay At The Iconic Jekyll Island Club Resort

This island might be a designated state park, but it never lost touch with its luxurious side. Standing majestically on the grounds of the former Club, the Jekyll Island Club Resort is a family-friendly retreat made up of five historic buildings, including the original clubhouse. Enjoy seven dining outlets (like the Victorian-style Grand Dining Room), lounge poolside at the Jekyll Island Club or Ocean Club, and even play a round of croquet on the front lawn. Bike rentals, shuttle service, and direct access to the historic district are just a few of the perks that await guests.

jekyllclub.com; 371 Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527; 912-319-4349

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Eagles lose a heartbreaker in triple OT to Georgia State

Published

20 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Eagles lose a heartbreaker in triple OT to Georgia State

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) – Just ten days prior to Georgia Southern’s matchup against Georgia State on Saturday, the Eagles picked up their first Sun Belt win in Atlanta against the Panthers. However, the script was flipped the second time around, as Georgia State pulled out an 88-83 win in triple overtime.

After trailing 22-11 after the first quarter, the Eagles came back to make it a 5-point game at the half. Georgia Southern led by three with under a minute left in regulation, but Georgia State hit a three-pointer to send it to the first overtime period.

In overtime, the Eagles trailed by four with 15 seconds left on the clock, but this time it was Southern with a clutch shot — Paris Gaines made a three-pointer to bring the Eagles within one. She followed it up by making one of two free throws to send it to double OT.

In double overtime, Shanti Simmons made a layup with 5 seconds remaining to tie the game at 76 and push it to triple OT. In that final period, Georgia Southern had possession trailing by one with under a minute to play, but the Panthers got a steal, extended their lead, and went on to get the win 88-83.

Simmons led the way for the Eagles with 22 points. Mckenna Eddings followed not far behind with 20, while Gaines made some clutch baskets in extra time.

“This was a tough one,” said head coach Hana Haden. “I think that this will probably be a tough one for everyone to get over — you’re that close. I think for us, something that we’ve been talking about for a lot of the year is trying to play for 40 minutes, and now tonight, we had to play for 55 minutes, and I think if you clean up some things in the first 40 minutes, then maybe it doesn’t have to come to that. It’s really tough whenever you fight as hard as our group did.”

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