Summer should be one of the best times of year for kids- a season of sunshine and fireflies and playtime with friends. But far too many families in Virginia struggle to replace the meals served at school, making it the hungriest time of year for many children.
Research shows that when kids don’t get the nutrition they need, they’re at higher risk of both short- and long-term health challenges, and diminished physical and emotional wellbeing. Hunger can also exacerbate summer learning loss, or the “summer slide” – without access to nutrition during the summer months, it’s that much harder for kids to return to school next year ready to learn.
This year, we have a monumental opportunity to change that, thanks to hard-fought policy wins that will help reach more kids with nutritious food in the summer months. New summer grocery benefits and expanded flexibilities for rural communities work alongside traditional summer meal programs to provide a comprehensive solution to the long-standing challenge of summer hunger.
Free Summer Meals
Many schools, community centers, and local organizations across Virginia are offering free meals to children and teens through summer meal programs. These healthy meals are free for all children and teens ages 18 and under, and don’t require any application, registration, or proof of income- kids can just show up and enjoy a meal. In rural communities, non-congregate meals allow children to take their meals home or consume them offsite, providing greater flexibility and access. To make it easy to find a nearby meal site, simply text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304.
SUN Bucks (Summer-EBT)
SUN Bucks (also known as Summer EBT) is a new program that is helping families in Virginia stretch their grocery budgets to afford nutritious food at home during the summer months. Summer EBT provides eligible families with $120 per child in grocery-buying benefits during summer break, helping replace the meals kids would otherwise get at school and ease the impact of increased grocery costs.
Most children eligible to receive SUN Bucks benefits will receive them without having to fill out an application, but a small portion of families will need to apply. To find out more about the program and see if you qualify, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website at virginiasunbucks.com.
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No Kid Hungry Virginia has been advocating for these policy changes for years. Now we’re working hard to ensure they reach as many kids as possible. Help us spread the word about these programs and check out this outreach toolkit for downloadable resources. Your voice is essential: together, we can ensure all kids have a happy, hunger-free summer.