No Kid Hungry New York and dozens of other organizations urged Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration in a letter Monday to prioritize funding for a federal program aimed to provide about $200 million in food aid to vulnerable children, the organization said.

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) could help as many as 2 million children, according to No Kid Hungry New York. Hochul has until Jan. 1 to instruct the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to opt in to EBT. Hochul must also then allocate the necessary matching administrative funds for the current fiscal year and beyond as part of the upcoming state budget release in January to get the $200 million.

“The clock is ticking for Governor Hochul to do the right thing and allow New York to participate in Summer EBT, which would be game-changing for millions of children during what is often the hungriest season of the year,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York, in a statement. “The State successfully launched the Pandemic EBT program, proving it’s an effective and efficient model to nourish our children so they can grow and thrive. With the stroke of a pen, the Governor can build on that success before time runs out. We hope she hears the voices of the more than 80 organizations who are asking her to not leave money on the table, and prioritize the wellbeing of New York kids.”

A 2023 poll by No Kid Hungry showed two in five New York families experiencing food insecurity, and nearly three in four New Yorkers reported it harder to afford groceries this year than last, the group said.

No Kid Hungry also said the federal program also help generate economic activity in the agricultural and food retailer business.