Policy & Practice | Summer 2025

never met before—come together and find comfort in sharing their deeply personal experiences with each other was humbling. They leaned on each other, supported each other, and created a space where vulner ability became a tool for advocacy. They understood that by sharing their stories, they could help shape the future of these programs, making them more effective and accessible for other families. Their courage was inspiring, and the sense of camaraderie they built was palpable. The panel itself, held on December 10, 2024, was a moment of collective impact. The panelists spoke candidly about the tangible impact of Summer EBT: how the benefits made it possible for them to put food on the table without sacrificing other essentials, like utilities or rent. They shared their gratitude but also their frustrations, noting areas where communication could have been stronger and more inclusive. “Use local organizations, the ones who are on the ground, to give them the information to relay back," said Marlena Hanson, a mother of five, social worker, and first-generation descendant of White Earth Nation. They discussed the power of com munity—how helping one another is essential in breaking the cycle of food insecurity. "Having that extra money It’s about real people with real stories and the chance to make their voices heard in a way that can drive lasting change. It was a reminder that our work is about more than just policy or logistics.

was ensuring that the panel would be as inclusive as possible. We began by focusing on language access by building a multilingual application process, ensuring we could effectively communicate with a wide range of participants. We then created an appli cation to gather potential panelists, which we shared far and wide through our national partners. It was important to reach people who had firsthand experience with these programs, so we conducted interviews with lived expe rience experts, hearing their stories and gathering insights. This helped us carefully select the panelists, ensuring we had a diverse group of individuals who could speak to different aspects of the program’s impact. Once the panelists were selected, the next phase of the process began: building intentional relationships among panelists. This was about creating an environment where the panelists could feel comfortable, sup ported, and heard. Our first meeting was largely logistical—introductions were made, roles were defined, and expectations were set. But it was during our second meeting that the magic began to happen. Instead of focusing on just the details of the event, we spent time getting to know each other on a deeper level. We discussed the unique experiences and challenges that each panelist had faced, and the stories they were about to share became more than just anecdotes—they became a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of families navigating food insecurity. What struck us the most during these meetings was the safety and vulner ability that permeated the space. The panelists shared pieces of their lives. It was clear that, while each of them had faced different struggles, they had also all come to understand that their stories could help drive real change. It was about showing up for each other and for the community. As the mod erator and support staff, we were there to guide them, but we quickly realized that we were also learning from them. By the time the panel took shape, we had a group that was uniting. Watching these three individuals—who had

promising practices learned after a full summer of implementation. The Summer Nutrition Summit featured breakout sessions on troubleshooting data, enhancing customer service, refining communications, and expanding access for hard-to-reach families. It also explored future-focused topics like the role of technology and current trends in Summer EBT. Centering Parent Voices to Shape the Program’s Future Before the breakout sessions kicked off, the Summit opened with an incredibly moving panel of parents and caregivers who shared their real-life experiences with the 2024 summer nutrition programs. This was the opening session and the heart of the Summit, grounding all of us in the purpose of our work. We knew that the following 36 hours would be filled with discussions about data, strategy, and best practices, but before all of that, we had to reconnect with why we were here: to better serve children and families. Creating this plenary presentation was a deliberate, thoughtful process that involved multiple stages of col laboration and reflection. Our first step

Zahava “Zee” Zaidoff is a Speaker, Writer, and Trainer at Hope808.

Kara Williams is a Policy Coordinator, Food and Nutrition Services, at APHSA.

Policy & Practice Summer 2025 28