No Kid Hungry Virginia urges families to apply for SUN Bucks grocery benefits and connect with summer meal sites to increase food access while school is out of session
[Contact: Sarah Steely at 570-854-5023 or ssteely@strength.org]
RICHMOND, VA (May 19, 2026) – As schools close for the summer and cuts in federal food assistance strain household budgets alongside rising food costs, No Kid Hungry Virginia is urging parents, caregivers and community partners to help connect children with a grocery support program called SUN Bucks and free summer meal sites.
As a result of Congress cutting SNAP by nearly $200 billion last year, national SNAP participation declined by nearly 9% between July 2025 and February 2026, while Virginia saw an almost 15% decrease during the same period, impacting more than 116,750 SNAP recipients.
Last year, Congress cut SNAP by nearly $200 billion
For many families, the loss or reduction in food assistance benefits comes just as students won’t have access to school meals during the summer break. Over 800,000 Virginia youth can access no-cost school meals during the academic year.
A No Kid Hungry Virginia survey from August 2025 found that Virginia families with children in public school are struggling to afford food in the summer when school is out. Fifty-five percent reported that their household debt increases during the summer due to the cost of food, and an equal share (55%) said it’s harder to make ends meet during the summer than during the school year.
“Summer nutrition opportunities are especially important this year as Virginians see cuts to other support programs,” said Sarah Steely, Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia. “SUN Bucks and free summer meal sites give families the opportunity to stretch their grocery budgets while helping to connect kids with nourishing meals.”
SUN Bucks: $120 in Grocery Support Per Child
Virginia SUN Bucks provides a one-time $120 grocery benefit per eligible school-age child to help families afford food when schools are closed for the summer. Program eligibility is based on household income. In 2025, Virginia SUN Bucks reached more than 650,000 children.
A family will automatically receive Virginia SUN Bucks if a student is enrolled in SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.
Families that don’t fit that criteria but believe a child is eligible based on household income can apply by completing a new online application or printing and mailing a paper application to the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). Alternatively, the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center (866-513-1414) will accept applications June 15 through August 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
VDSS will begin issuing benefits starting in June 2026 on a rolling basis. Automatically enrolled households will likely receive their benefits first.
Benefits are loaded onto a family’s existing SNAP EBT card or mailed on a new SUN Bucks card and can be used to buy groceries — including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and meat — at grocery stores, farmers markets and other businesses that accept SNAP EBT benefits.
Families and community partners are encouraged to visit www.VirginiaSunBucks.com for more information about the program, including frequently asked questions.
SUN Meals: Free Food for Every Child, No Questions Asked
Any child age 18 and under can receive free, nutritious meals this summer through Virginia’s SUN Meals program, also known as the Summer Food Service program.
Meals are available at schools, parks, libraries and other trusted community sites across the state.
Families can locate the nearest site by monitoring communications from their local meal providers, such as school nutrition departments and/or food banks.
SUN Meals and SUN Bucks are designed to work together and families can access both programs simultaneously.
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About Share Our Strength
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.
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