North Carolina Fully Funds SUN Bucks in Major Win for Families and Kids

No Kid Hungry is excited to celebrate a major win for North Carolina kids and families! The North Carolina General Assembly has fully funded the SUN Bucks program in the state budget and Governor Josh Stein signed it into law. No Kid Hungry has long advocated with partners and state leaders for this historic $5 million investment which ensures that children across North Carolina will continue to have access to critical summer nutrition, helping families put food on the table when school is out.

North Carolina has the distinction of being a part of SUN Bucks from the very beginning. Until now, the state has depended upon philanthropic funding to underwrite the implementation match. The state’s funding is a milestone that reflects the leadership of state lawmakers and their continued dedication to end summer hunger for children in North Carolina.

One in five children in North Carolina faces hunger. When summer hits, this becomes especially prevalent when students lose access to school meals.  SUN Bucks provides families with $120 per child in grocery benefits to be spent at local grocers and farmers markets. They can be spent on proteins, fruits, vegetables–things that help kids to grow up healthy and thrive. Last year, the SUN Bucks program provided accessible summer nutrition to 1.1 million North Carolina kids.

“SUN Bucks helps fill a critical gap when school is out and children lose access to regular school meals,” said Marissa Spady, Senior Manager, No Kid Hungry North Carolina campaign. “No Kid Hungry North Carolina is grateful to the General Assembly members for ensuring the continuation of this program. Many thanks to the following members of the North Carolina House and Senate: Speaker Destin Hall, Rep. Larry Potts, Rep. Tim Reeder, Rep. Donna White, Rep. Donny Lambeth, Rep. Grant Campbell, Rep. Dean Arp, Rep. Larry Strickland, Rep. Kyle Hall, Rep. Jimmy Dixon, Rep. Karl Gillespie, Rep. Jeff McNeely, Rep. Heather Rhyne, Rep. Donnie Loftis, and President Pro Tem Phil Berger, Sen. Benton Sawrey, Sen. Amy Galey, Sen. Jim Burgin, Sen. Brent Jackson, Sen. Ralph Hise and Sen. Dana Jones.”

Most kids in North Carolina receive SUN Bucks automatically, but some children do have to apply. For information on eligibility and applications, visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks.  For 2026, the application deadline in North Carolina is August 15. It’s important to keep in mind that SUN Bucks benefits must be used before they expire, which will be 122 days after they have been issued.