California children who get free or reduced-price school lunches will receive $120 each for groceries
California is working to ensure that the more than 3.2 million K-12 students who receive free and reduced-price school lunches can continue to access to quality nutrition during the summer months, Assemblymember Mia Bonta [1] announced in her latest newsletter to District 18 constituents.
[2]
The state’s Department of Social Services is launching the SUN Bucks [3] program in June, a summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program that provides vital food security benefits to ensure no child goes hungry during the summer gap in school lunch programs. Families who participate in the SUN Bucks program will receive $120 per eligible child to buy groceries at authorized retailers.
Children who already qualify for free or reduced lunches, as well as families enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and other California benefits programs, will automatically receive their SUN Bucks card in the mail beginning in June. Some children will need to apply by submitting an “Alternative Income Form” or a “School Meal Application Form” to their school.
Parents and guardians must contact their child’s school about the exact form they should use and how to submit it. The deadline to apply for SUN Bucks is August 31, 2024.
[4]Assemblymember Bonta expressed her strong support for the program. “Quality nutrition is critical to ensuring our students and families thrive in Assembly District 18 and across California. I’m proud to support the SUN Bucks program, and I look forward to expanding access to healthy food for students and families in 2024 through the Food as Medicine Initiative and beyond,” she said.
The SUN Bucks program is part of California’s ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity and ensure that all children have access to healthy, nutritious meals. The state has been a leader in providing free and reduced-price school lunches, and the SUN Bucks program is an extension of that commitment.
The program is especially important during the summer months when many children lose access to the meals they rely on during the school year. By providing families with additional funds to purchase groceries, the SUN Bucks program helps bridge the gap and ensure that children continue to receive the nutrition they need to thrive.
In addition to the SUN Bucks program, Bonta’s office is providing information on where children can find free meals and activities during the summer months. Contact Bonta’s office at 510-286-1670 or via email [5].