When school lets out for the summer, kids lose access to the meals they count on each day. In South Carolina, that gap is significant. 1 in 6 children faces hunger here. But there’s a clear, federally funded solution on the table. One that could reach more than 633,000 kids across the state.
Recently, No Kid Hungry, in partnership with Instacart, brought together state and local leaders for a Lunch and Learn Roundtable focused on one goal: building momentum for South Carolina to adopt SUN Bucks by summer 2027.
The room reflected what it takes to make that happen: elected officials, school district leaders, community organizations and corporate partners, all discussing what SUN Bucks could mean for families and how to make it work for the state. The conversation was practical and forward-looking, with participants asking questions about implementation while also recognizing the scale of the opportunity.
Because the opportunity is real and substantial.
SUN Bucks, a federally funded summer nutrition program established by Congress in 2024, provides families with $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-aged child. It’s designed to replace the school meals that disappear when the school year ends.
If implemented in South Carolina, the program could deliver:
- $76 million in federal food benefits directly to families
- Support for over 633,000 eligible children
- Up to $136 million in total economic activity statewide
SUN Bucks isn’t just a nutrition program. It’s a direct investment in kids, families and communities.
And yet, South Carolina has not opted in. That’s why this moment matters.
Following the roundtable, No Kid Hungry met with additional legislative offices to continue building awareness and support. What stood out was the level of bipartisan interest in the program.
“It was so good to see such enthusiastic interest from both sides of the political aisle,” said Marissa Spady, senior manager of No Kid Hungry South Carolina. “To have this much support this early on is a great indicator of success down the road. South Carolina’s kids deserve access to nutritious food all year long. It’s time to bring SUN Bucks to South Carolina.”
The path forward isn’t automatic. Adoption requires state-level action and commitment. But the foundation is there: a proven program, federal funding already in place and growing support from leaders across sectors.
The question now is whether South Carolina will act in time to ensure families have the support they need when school doors close next summer.
