Maryland launched SUN Bucks which is designed to help families pay for groceries during the summer for eligible school-aged children.
Maryland SUN Bucks is expected to serve 543,000 children using $60 million from the federal government.
“During the summer, many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they receive at school, and households may need help putting food on the table. Our administration is here to help fill that gap,” said Gov. Wes Moore when he announced the program Monday.
“Tackling childhood poverty requires consistent, targeted action so all Marylanders can stay healthy as they play, grow, and learn. The launch of Maryland SUN Bucks marks one such action – and it won’t be the last,” Moore said in a news release.
The program builds upon the existing Summer SNAP program.
“There isn’t a single jurisdiction in Maryland that isn’t interested in helping fight childhood poverty. Maryland SUN Bucks extends food security provided by school meals to summertime; and it represents the single largest investment Maryland has seen to help feed our children,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “We are grateful for our partners in the state legislature and the Biden Administration for working with us to make sure Maryland’s children do not experience hunger.”
Qualifying households will receive $40 a month this summer to buy food for each eligible student. Benefits may be used at authorized retailers, including grocery stores and farmers markets.
Most eligible families will receive the benefits automatically, though some parents will need to apply. For families receiving SNAP benefits, Maryland SUN Bucks will be automatically applied to the head-of-household’s Electronic Benefits 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 is in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at summer meal sites in their communities.
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