Ohio families are set to receive expanded nutritional support this summer through a newly introduced federal program aimed at bridging the “summer food gap” for students who rely on school meals during the academic year.
Known as the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SUN Bucks) program, this initiative represents the first permanent federal nutrition benefit introduced in over five decades. It will provide eligible families in Ohio with $120 per child to use for groceries at any store accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.
Isabel Nissley, environmental reporter for WVXU, highlighted the significance of SUN Bucks in an interview with the Ohio Newsroom. She emphasized that the program seeks to address the heightened food insecurity experienced by students when school breakfasts, lunches, and afterschool snacks are no longer available during the summer months.
Kim McKenzie, SNAP outreach manager at Cincinnati’s Resource Food Bank, noted that while $120 may not cover all summer food expenses, SUN Bucks can significantly supplement family budgets, especially when combined with other nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP or meals provided at summer meal sites. Unlike traditional meal programs which offer pre-made meals, SUN Bucks afford families greater flexibility in purchasing groceries tailored to their nutritional needs.
More than 800,000 students in Ohio are estimated to qualify for SUN Bucks, with eligible families receiving benefits directly on their Ohio Direction cards. Automatic enrollment applies to children from households receiving SNAP or Ohio Works First benefits, as well as those on Medicaid and individually approved for free or reduced-price school lunches. Other eligible children, including those experiencing homelessness or with mixed immigration statuses, will need to apply for the program, with distribution of benefits scheduled throughout the summer.
In addition to SUN Bucks, various meal programs across Ohio cater to children aged one to 18 at locations such as libraries, recreational centers, and churches. These programs serve as crucial resources for families regardless of their participation in SUN Bucks, addressing widespread food insecurity concerns underscored by recent hunger studies.
Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks, highlighted the persistent need for such initiatives, citing statistics that underscore the prevalence of hunger among Ohio’s children and adults reliant on SNAP benefits.
As the rollout of SUN Bucks begins in mid-June, community-based meal programs and federal nutrition benefits are poised to alleviate food insecurity for countless Ohio families throughout the summer months.
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