One requirement to work for No Kid Hungry is a curiosity for constant learning. One of the ways we do this is by attending and presenting at conferences. Recently, three of our staffers, Summer Kriegshauser, Topaz Arthur, and Chioma Hauenstein, attended the National PTA Annual Convention, Together Again: PTA Lights the Way for Every Child.
A main takeaway from the PTA conference was that the PTA is a powerful stakeholder that cares about children and families' access to nutritious food during the summer months through programs like Summer EBT, also known as Sun Bucks.
“Folks attending the conference shared how deeply important the issue of hunger is across communities and are primed to be activated and cause some ‘good trouble,’ in the words of the late John Lewis, to help families and children access these important resources.” - Chioma
“The conference attendees - those people living in states that do not have Summer EBT want it there and want to advocate for it so families have access to this important benefit.” - Summer
PTA audience members heard about the importance of Summer EBT and SNAP during the No Kid Hungry led session “Fueling Student Success: Connecting Families to SNAP & Summer EBT.” Staff was joined by two of our Summer EBT champions, Leidi Garcia, Director of Health and Human Services at We Are CASA, and Susie Ballot, SNAP Parent and Caregiver Advisory Council member.
In our session, staff and SEBT champions shared an overview of SNAP and Summer EBT and how it helps students stay fueled through the summer months to succeed at school. The most common question asked in and outside of the session was “Why isn’t Summer EBT in my state?” and “How do we advocate for Summer EBT in our state?”
“Each state legislature and governor decides if Summer EBT is a priority for their state, and people need to advocate for this benefit so state governments know it’s a priority for families.” - Summer
The answer resonated with the room: state geography shouldn’t determine whether a family can access food assistance for their children, and PTA members hold real power to push Summer EBT into every state and territory in the country.
Beyond advocacy, staff hoped attendees walked away with something more immediate and practical.
“I hope folks took away practical strategies and tools for engaging with immigrant communities, amidst the many threats against them, and to see their roles as trusted messengers to communicate up-to-date information to them. Also, I hope they found allyship in striving to bring S-EBT, and other benefits programs, with PTA members from other states.” - Chioma
That sense of allyship is really the heart of why No Kid Hungry shows up at conferences like this one. PTA is already embedded in nearly every school community in the country, which makes it one of the most trusted messengers families have.
“PTA is an integral family and community-facing entity who has the eyes and ears of families in their respective communities. I think bringing them into conversation around ways to reach families and/or listening sessions to learn more about what families are saying and experiencing from application/receipt to usage of the benefits is important!” - Chioma
“The PTA is an audience we should engage with more when it comes to advocacy and implementation. Many of the PTA leaders have food insecurity as part of their advocacy agenda.” - Topaz
Looking ahead to future summers, staff see real opportunity for PTA members to deepen their role in this work, whether through local outreach or sustained state-level advocacy. PTA chapters are already talking with parents and families every day, and pointing that existing trust toward Summer EBT and SUN Bucks could make a meaningful difference in how many families know the benefit exists.
So what does that partnership look like in practice? For state agencies and organizations hoping to team up with their local PTA, the advice from our staff was refreshingly simple: start by listening.
“Honestly, my biggest suggestion is to start by listening. Before materials are sent or PTAs are asked to push something out, show up to a meeting first. Find out what families in that community are experiencing navigating these systems.” - Chioma
“The National PTA is in a unique and powerful position as they have the direct access to family voices and also access to their state officials. They are a key liaison and advisor for those who need the support and how the support should be given. Give them a seat at the table!” - Topaz
“Local PTA chapters are in every community, which gives partners, state agencies, etc. lots of opportunities to connect with PTA chapters. PTA has a pulse on what families need and want, and families want Summer EBT. We know schools are trusted messengers of information for families.” - Summer
There’s no single playbook here, but the No Kid Hungry team has seen firsthand how much PTAs can offer, especially in reaching immigrant and mixed-status families who may be hesitant to engage with benefits programs out of fear.
“What works is going to vary by state and community. What I can say from our work through No Kid Hungry is that PTAs are a trusted, often overlooked partner for reaching immigrant and mixed-status families who are experiencing fear around participating in benefits programs they may be eligible for. In many communities, that trust is already there. All state agencies and partners need to do is show up, ask what they need, and go from there.” - Chioma
Attending conferences like the National PTA Annual Convention reminds us why this work matters and why partnership is so central to it. PTA members walked away with a clearer picture of Summer EBT and the power they hold to advocate for it. And our staff walked away with a reminder that some of the most effective partners in the fight to end childhood hunger are already in our schools, waiting to be asked to help.
Want to learn more about Summer EBT and how to bring it to your community? Check out our Summer EBT 101 resource to get started.