Children are a precious thing. As an elementary school principal, I am always worried about their sweet faces and the many adversities they may encounter such as pedophile stranger danger, water safety, abuse and/or neglect and laced gummies. But the most important one of all is having an adequate and consistent amount of food in their homes during the summer months.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to ensure North Carolina school children are fed.
This summer, a new program, known as “SUN Bucks,” is expected to provide food for nearly a million school children in North Carolina. Most children will automatically qualify if they are eligible for the following programs: free and reduced-price meals, Food and Nutrition Services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and if they receive NC Medicaid benefits and have a household income below 185% of the federal poverty level. Some families will have to apply for the new SUN Bucks program.
Families who qualify will receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child for the summer period. SUN Bucks will be given to families on debit-like EBT cards for families to purchase groceries at retailers that accept EBT, including most major grocery stores in North Carolina.
Please make sure your contact information is updated at your child’s school and your local Department of Social Services so you will not miss out on this beneficial program. If you receive a call, email or text from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services do not disregard it.
Visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks or call 1-866-719-0141 for eligibility criteria and other information.