Changes to Federal Food aid Raise Alarm as Summer Nears. Here’s What you Need to Know.

The Salvation Army team members help deliver food as part of Feed The Kids, a 10-week free meal program. In Milwaukee, it feeds both children and adults at locations primarily on the North Side. (NNS file photo)

By Devin Blake

This story was originally published by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, where you can find other stories reporting on fifteen city neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Visit milwaukeenns.org .

The Trump administration has cut federal food assistance – including funding used by schools and food banks – sparking broader concerns about the safety net many Wisconsinites rely on.

Here’s what to know and how to help as summer approaches.

Federal cuts, systemic effects

In 2024, Milwaukee children received nearly 400,000 free summer meals through a single federal program,