Maryland launched SUN Bucks, which aims to help families pay for summer grocery bills for eligible school-age children.
Maryland SUN Bucks plans to use $60 million from the federal government to serve 543,000 children.
“Over the summer, many children will no longer receive the free or reduced-price lunches they received at school, and families may need help putting food on the table. My administration is here to fill that gap,” Gov. Wes Moore said in announcing the program on Monday.
“Tackling child poverty requires consistent, targeted action to ensure all Marylanders can stay healthy while they play, grow and learn. The launch of Maryland SUN Bucks is one of those actions, but it won’t be the last,” Moore said in a news release.
The program builds on the existing summer SNAP program.
“There is not a single municipality in Maryland that isn’t interested in ending child poverty. Maryland SUN Bucks will extend food security through school meals into the summer, the largest investment in feeding children that Maryland has ever seen,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez. “We thank our partners in the Legislature and the Biden Administration for working together to ensure no Maryland child goes hungry.”
Families who meet eligibility requirements will receive $40 per month for each eligible student this summer to spend on food at certified retailers, including grocery stores and farmers markets.
Most eligible families receive benefits automatically, but some parents must apply. For families who receive SNAP benefits, Maryland SUN Bucks is automatically applied to the head of household’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. If a child does not receive SNAP, a white Maryland SUN Bucks card will be issued in the child’s name.
Maryland SUN Bucks are in addition to the free meals children of all ages receive at local summer meal sites.
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