{"id":628,"date":"2025-04-03T16:15:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T16:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/north-carolina\/?p=628"},"modified":"2025-05-21T18:23:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T18:23:40","slug":"tackling-hunger-in-north-carolina-a-critical-opportunity-to-support-families-with-sun-bucks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/north-carolina\/2025\/04\/03\/tackling-hunger-in-north-carolina-a-critical-opportunity-to-support-families-with-sun-bucks\/","title":{"rendered":"Tackling Hunger in North Carolina: A Critical Opportunity to Support Families with SUN Bucks"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]As summer quickly approaches, many families across North Carolina will face a harsh reality: school meal programs pause and food insecurity spikes among families and children. That\u2019s why SUN Bucks, a program that provides a $120 federal grocery benefit per eligible child, is a lifeline for North Carolina families.<\/span><\/p>\n

Right now, North Carolina policymakers have an extraordinary opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of its children by again funding SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, this year and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditional summer meal programs, while valuable, reach only a fraction of eligible families due to a variety of barriers. Many families face logistical challenges like transportation, work conflicts, lack of nearby meal sites, and extreme summer weather. Limited hours of operation and the inconvenience of having to visit a specific location further contribute to the underutilization of the program, leaving many kids without consistent access to nutritious meals during the summer months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer EBT works alongside traditional meal programs to reach kids with the nutrition they need during summer break and with 1 in 5 children in North Carolina facing food insecurity, it is more critical than ever to continue funding this program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, North Carolina’s participation in the program had a profound impact:<\/span><\/p>\n