Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to veto $60 million for a federally backed food assistance program led a Dallas chef to start feeding hungry families.
DALLAS — Gov. Greg Abbott used his line-item veto power to eliminate $60 million in lawmaker-approved state funding for a federal food assistance program that advocates say could have fed more than 3.7 million Texas children.
The program — known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer, or Summer EBT — is designed to provide low-income families with support while school is not in session.
According to Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, nearly 38 states joined the program when it launched in 2024.
Texas did not, but the state planned to participate for the first time in 2027, until Abbott struck the funding from the budget.
The program is funded almost entirely by the federal government, but states must cover administrative costs, and state lawmakers had allocated $60 million to get the program running.
Abbott cited uncertainty over the federal government continuing to provide matching funds as the reason for his veto.
And his action inspired everyday Texans.
Mark McDaniel, owner of Catering by Chef Mark in Dallas, posted on Facebook that he was looking to connect with families facing hunger and needing help.
Responses came quickly — along with stories from parents who never imagined they’d need food assistance.
He is now feeding those families.
“This isn’t about me or my company,” McDaniel said. “It’s about the community. Really trying to fill a gap where I feel like one exists.”
He’s also getting donations of time and money. Volunteers are helping pack meals and deliver them.
“Some people are strangers that have donated, but other people I know,” McDaniel said. “Two in particular are teachers, so they see this every day in their classrooms, I promise you.”
Rallying his workers to help was easy, too.
“All of my staff are moms. That’s not how I designed it, but that’s how it is. Some are single moms. They understand,” he said.
Feeding Texas shared USDA estimates that Texas could have received approximately $450 million in food aid through the Summer EBT program, enough to reach 3.75 million students.
Abbott did write in his veto proclamation that once there is clarity at the federal level over “long-term fiscal ramifications for creating such a program,” lawmakers could re-visit it.
Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole said the organization was “deeply disappointed” by the veto and called on Congress to ensure states are not burdened by costs when implementing nutrition programs.
“Food banks cannot end hunger alone,” Cole said in a statement. “Our state must prioritize sustainable solutions like Summer EBT that reduce child hunger, expand access to nutritious food, and help every child in Texas grow up healthy and strong.”
McDaniel hopes to continue doing his part all summer.
“If I can put smiles on people’s faces, and let them have hope that someone they don’t even know would help them, maybe they’re more inclined to do the same thing down the road,” he said.