HARRISBURG, PA — The Shapiro Administration is encouraging eligible families to take advantage of the SUN Bucks program, a federal summer food assistance initiative aimed at ensuring Pennsylvania children have access to nutritious meals while school is out.
An estimated 1.3 million children across the Commonwealth are expected to qualify for SUN Bucks in 2025. The program provides families with $120 per eligible child—issued in $40 monthly installments—to help offset grocery costs during the summer break.
SUN Bucks, now in its second year in Pennsylvania, functions similarly to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Benefits will begin distribution in late July and are scheduled to be fully issued by the end of September. Most eligible children will receive benefits automatically, particularly those already participating in the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid with qualifying income.
Families whose children are not automatically eligible—including those attending schools offering universal free lunch—may still apply for the benefit. The application deadline is August 31, and any submissions received after this date will be considered for the 2026 program cycle.
Catherine Stetler, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services (DHS), emphasized the urgency of applying. “The SUN Bucks program provides eligible households with critical dollars to help bridge the gap during the summer break and ensure that children have enough to eat,” she said. Stetler encouraged families to use the online Eligibility Navigator to check whether they need to submit an application.
The program aligns with Governor Josh Shapiro’s broader efforts to combat child hunger. His administration has backed universal free school breakfasts for three consecutive years, with over 90 million meals served during the last academic year—10 million more than the year before.
Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe noted that SUN Bucks reflects the state’s continued commitment to student well-being. “Governor Shapiro made an intentional choice to opt into SUN Bucks for a second year because he understands that hunger doesn’t take a summer break,” she said. “This program gives families added support when school is not in session for the summer, helping children stay nourished and ready to learn when they return in the fall.”
SUN Bucks benefits will be delivered via existing EBT cards when possible. Families without EBT cards will receive a dedicated Summer EBT card in the mail.
The initiative is part of a broader partnership between the DHS, Department of Education, Feeding Pennsylvania, and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to address food insecurity throughout the year.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.