837,000 Children to Benefit from Ohio’s $120 Summer EBT/SUN Bucks Program, Providing Groceries for Families!

Ohio Launches Summer EBT/SUN Bucks Program to Support Families

Access to Summer Meals Expanded for Ohio Children

According to Public News Service the Ohio Department of Education’s new summer EBT/SUN Bucks program will provide $120 for groceries to eligible families automatically benefiting children in families on SNAP, Medicaid, Ohio Works First, or those certified for free or reduced-price meals. About 837,000 children are expected to benefit.

The $120 benefit will be credited to families’ existing Ohio Direction Cards or a new card will be mailed to them. These funds can be used to purchase fruits vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy products at grocery stores farmer’s markets, and other retailers accepting SNAP-EBT benefits. For families not currently enrolled but who believe they may qualify, an application can be submitted at OhioSummerEBT.org. In addition to the EBT/SUN Bucks program families are encouraged to utilize local Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites for regular summer meals provided by schools and community agencies. A map of these sites can be found online at education.ohio.gov by searching for “SFSP summer food source program.” The Children’s Hunger Alliance highlights the critical need for such programs noting that only one in ten children who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year have access to summer meals. This new initiative aims to bridge that gap and ensure more children have access to nutritious food year-round.

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837,000 Children to Benefit from Ohio’s $120 Summer EBT/SUN Bucks Program, Providing Groceries for Families! (PHOTO: Ohio Capital Journal)

Ohio’s Efforts to Enhance Summer Nutrition Access

Furthermore, the $120 benefit will be added to existing Ohio Direction Cards or provided on a new card by mail. These funds can be used to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy products at retailers accepting SNAP-EBT. Families who believe they may qualify can apply at Ohio Summer EBT. Families are encouraged to use local Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites for regular summer meals provided by schools and community agencies. A map of these sites is available online at education.ohio.gov. The Children’s Hunger Alliance highlights that only one in ten children who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year have access to summer meals.

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