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Child Hunger Spikes During the Summer
Summer shouldn’t mean hunger for kids. But when school is out, many children who rely on free or reduced-price meals at school lose access to daily nutrition. That’s where Summer EBT — also known as SUN Bucks — and free Summer Meals come in.
Summer EBT is a program provides eligible families with extra grocery money to help feed their children all summer long. Summer Meals is a program that offers free meals and snacks at local community sites during the summer.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or community member, here’s what you need to know to get support — or help spread the word.
What Is Summer EBT?
Summer EBT (or SUN Bucks) is a federal nutrition program that gives $120 per eligible school-aged child to help families buy groceries during the summer months. That’s real money that can be used at most places that accept SNAP (food stamps), including grocery stores, online retailers, and some farmers’ markets.
It can be used to supplement other food programs like SNAP, WIC, and free Summer Meals at local community sites or To-Go meal options in rural areas. That means kids can get multiple forms of support — and families don’t have to choose just one.
Who Is Eligible for Summer EBT?
- Your child may be automatically enrolled if:
- Your household receives benefits like SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, or
- Your child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, and your income qualifies for free or reduced-price meals
- Not automatically enrolled? You can still apply — as long as your household income meets the guidelines. Use our website’s tool to Summer EBT page to apply directly.
- You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible.
Find more information from USDA here, and use the SNAP Retailer Locator to find nearby stores or markets that accept Summer EBT.
What Are Summer Meals?
Whether or not you use Summer EBT, you can still access free Summer Meals (also known as SUN Meals) at schools, parks, and community centers. Visit WhyHunger.org/Summer to find a location near you.
Who Is Eligible for Free Summer Meals?
- It’s open to all kids (18 and under).
- There isn’t any application or income requirement.
Help Spread the Word!
Families can’t use benefits they don’t know about. Help us reach more people by sharing the info in your community, at your workplace, or on social media.
Share our posts on social media here to spread awareness:
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Summer EBT and Meals are powerful way to reduce child hunger during the summer — but only if families know and enroll. Please take a moment to check your eligibility, help someone apply, or spread the word.
Need Food Now?
If you or someone you know needs immediate help accessing food, they can use Whyhunger’s Find Food Hotline and Database:
- Call 1(800) 5-HUNGRY
- Text your zip code to 1-800-548-6479
- Visit whyhunger.org/find-food
Use our tools to locate local emergency food providers, meal programs, and other support services in your area.