For the 1 in 4 North Carolina kids facing food insecurity, the summer months can be particularly challenging. With school out and limited transportation options, many families have to find a way to provide up 10 additional meals each week — a prospect that can have profound impact on children’s health and well-being.
Fortunately, this summer also marks the launch of a new, permanent program to provide food assistance to children and families. With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, our state Departments of Health & Human Services and Public Instruction are making North Carolina among the first to implement SUN Bucks (also known as “Summer EBT”) — helping families with school-aged children purchase groceries during summer break.
For each eligible child, families will receive $120 in SUN Bucks for the summer period, issued to debit-like cards (EBT cards). Funds can be used to buy nutritious food at any retailer that accepts EBT — including grocery stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers — from June through September.
Many students will automatically qualify for the program, including those who receive Free or Reduced-Price meals at school, or are enrolled in N.C. Food and Nutrition Services (FNS or “food stamps”), Medicaid health benefits, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF or “Work First assistance”). Other families whose household incomes fall below 185% of the federal poverty level can apply online or in person at a county social service agency.
Food banks here in North Carolina and across the country have long advocated for direct support for families as the quickest path to reduce hunger. And paired with our summer meal sites and Pop Up no-cost food markets, SUN Bucks will provide a much-needed boost for nearly a million kids facing food insecurity across the state!
In addition, the Food Bank and other nonprofit organizations will be supporting Kids Summer Meals, or Summer Food Service Program, sites throughout the state of North Carolina. These sites provide children with nutritious meals and programming during the summer when schools are closed.
Keep checking this post for any updates on Sun Bucks and other ways to find meals for kids and families this summer!
Helpful Links
Find a Food Bank partner agency near you to receive food for the whole family
Check out our list of monthly Pop Up no-cost food markets
Get more information about the Sun Bucks program
Find a Summer Food Service Program site near you
