SUN Bucks: Empowering Washington Families
Written by Leila Shahidi, AmeriCorps VISTA, United Way of King County
Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but for many families in Washington, it also brings the challenge of ensuring that their children receive adequate nutrition without the support of school meals. The SUN Bucks program, also known as Summer EBT, launches in the summer of 2024 and is a promising solution aimed at combating summer hunger and supporting families in need.
SUN Bucks is a federally funded initiative designed to assist Washington families starting in the summer of 2024. Families will receive $120 per eligible child through an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card, specifically allocated for food purchases. This financial assistance is particularly crucial for families struggling with food insecurity, providing a lifeline during the summer months when children lack access to free school meals.
It's important to note that SUN Bucks is intended to work in tandem with the Free Summer Meals program, which provides meals to all children, free of cost, at parks, community centers, and other sites over the summer months. While Free Summer Meals are a vital resource, many families still need additional help making ends meet when school is out of session.
Enter SUN Bucks, a program aiming to bridge the gap and provide a hunger-alleviating option for all qualifying children. By extending financial assistance directly to families, SUN Bucks ensures that children in need have access to essential nutrition even when summer meals may not be readily available.
To make SUN Bucks accessible to those who need it most, certain eligibility criteria have been established. All school-aged children falling into one of the following categories automatically qualify for SUN Bucks benefits without the need for a separate application:
Participation in other public assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Approval for Free and Reduced Priced Meals, or submission of a school’s Family Income Survey with income shown below 185% of the federal poverty line.
For those who don't fall into these categories, a simple application process will be available in July, ensuring that no child is left without the support they need for a hunger-free summer.
The SUN Bucks program heralds a new era in the fight against summer hunger in Washington. By combining financial assistance with a simplified eligibility process, it aims to empower families and ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the nutrition they deserve. As we anticipate the launch of this groundbreaking program, let's stand united in supporting our communities and creating a hunger-free summer for every child in Washington.
Want to do outreach for SUN Bucks in your community? Find our outreach toolkit here!