HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), in collaboration with the Department of Education and USDA, has unveiled the SUN Bucks program, a new initiative aimed at ensuring children have access to healthy, nutritious food during the summer months. This program comes as a part of Governor Shapiro’s broader focus on child welfare and nutrition.
The SUN Bucks program provides households with children who receive free or reduced-price school meals with a SNAP-like benefit to purchase food during summer when school is not in session. Benefits will begin to be issued in mid-August for Summer 2024, with all benefits distributed by the end of October. Most eligible children will receive the benefit automatically, but households needing to apply must do so by August 31 using the Sun Bucks Eligibility Navigator.
“The Shapiro Administration is committed to helping parents have the resources they need to keep their children fed so they can grow and thrive. The new SUN Bucks program will provide eligible households with critical dollars to help bridge the gap during the summer break and ensure that children have enough to eat,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. She expressed gratitude to the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Congress for enabling states to extend this support.
Program Details and Benefits
SUN Bucks will offer a one-time payment of $40 per summer month, up to a maximum of $120 per eligible child. Approximately 1.2 million children in Pennsylvania are expected to qualify for this program, which is funded by federal resources. Families already receiving SNAP or TANF benefits, or those qualified for Medicaid with the appropriate income level, will automatically receive SUN Bucks.
Families without automatic eligibility can apply using a paper application available online or at local County Assistance Offices. Applications must be submitted by the August 31 deadline to be considered for 2024 benefits.
Addressing Child Hunger
Free and reduced-price school meals provide essential nutrition to students, supporting their learning and development. During summer, these children may face increased food insecurity due to the absence of school-provided meals. The SUN Bucks program aims to mitigate this issue by offering financial assistance to purchase nutritious food, thereby helping families manage higher food expenses during school breaks.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service Policy Advisor Alberto Gonzalez, Jr., highlighted the program’s significance, stating, “USDA’s SUN Bucks program, also known as the Summer EBT program, is an unprecedented opportunity to dramatically reduce child hunger. Providing families with this extra support in purchasing nutritious foods helps to advance our goals of improving child health and well-being.”
The SUN Bucks Program’s Impact and Potential
The SUN Bucks program represents a crucial step towards reducing child hunger in Pennsylvania. By ensuring that children have access to nutritious food year-round, the program supports their overall health and academic performance. This initiative is also expected to alleviate some of the financial burdens on families, allowing them to allocate resources more effectively.
Moreover, the success of SUN Bucks could serve as a model for other states looking to address child hunger. By demonstrating the impact of targeted nutritional support, Pennsylvania’s approach could inspire similar programs nationwide, contributing to a broader effort to combat food insecurity.
Empowering Communities
The introduction of SUN Bucks not only benefits individual families but also strengthens communities by promoting health and well-being. Ensuring that children are well-nourished can lead to long-term positive outcomes, including improved educational attainment and reduced healthcare costs. This initiative aligns with broader public health goals and reinforces the importance of collaborative efforts between state agencies, federal partners, and local organizations.
The Pennsylvania SUN Bucks holds the promise of making a substantial difference in the lives of many children and families across the Commonwealth.
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