When schools close for the summer, millions of children lose access to the free or reduced-price meals they receive during the school year. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the new SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program fill this gap by providing free meals at community sites and electronic transfers of $120 per child to buy food during the summer months.
Two Summer Programs Available
| Program | What it Offers | How it Works |
|---|---|---|
| SFSP (Summer Food Service) | Free meals and snacks at community sites | Any child/youth under 18 can eat — no income verification at the site |
| SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) | $120 per child on EBT card to buy food | Automatic for eligible families — deposited on existing or new EBT card |
SUN Bucks Eligibility
- Children who receive free or reduced-price school meals
- Families receiving SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid
- Foster children
- Children in Indian Tribes
- Homeless, migrant, or runaway children
"No Application Necessary: If your child already qualifies for free school meals or SNAP, they will receive SUN Bucks automatically. You do not need to apply — the benefit is deposited into your EBT card."
Application Resources
| Resource | Detail |
|---|---|
| Find SFSP Sites | Call 211 or text "FOOD" to 304-304 |
| USDA Locator | fns.usda.gov/meals4kids |
| SUN Bucks Info | fns.usda.gov/sebt |
| No Kid Hungry | nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals |
"Immediate Action: Before summer, look for SFSP sites near your home by calling 211 or texting 'FOOD' to 304-304. If you receive SNAP, verify that your children's school data is up to date to receive SUN Bucks automatically."