ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland’s summer electronic benefit program, SUN Bucks, served a record-high number of students and invested its largest-ever sum in combating child hunger this summer, Gov. Wes Moore has announced.
The program provided benefits to 604,869 students between June and August 2025, which is 18,000 more students than were served by the end of August 2024. The total investment was $72.5 million in SUN Bucks benefits, marking the largest state effort against childhood hunger during the summer months.
“No child should go hungry,” Gov. Moore said in a statement. “Over the last two years, Maryland SUN Bucks has helped bring that vision closer to reality. SUN Bucks provided a critical lifeline to help more students than ever get the food they need to thrive this summer.”
The SUN Bucks program is designed to provide food for students when school meals are unavailable during summer break, supporting families across all 24 Maryland jurisdictions.
Automatic Enrollment Drives Growth
A key factor in the program’s record reach is its innovative approach to enrollment. Ninety-eight percent of recipients were automatically enrolled, bypassing the need for a separate application.
Students who qualify include those already receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Temporary Cash Assistance, students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, students enrolled in Medicaid, or students in out-of-home care.
Families receive $40 per eligible student on their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards during June, July, and August, for a total of $120 per student for the summer.
“Maryland is taking a common sense approach to combat childhood poverty by making sure students have seamless access to nutritious meals over the summer,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López.
The program has seen significant growth since its inception, reaching more than six times more children on average than the Summer SNAP benefits program it replaced.
The SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days from the day they are added to the EBT card. Families with questions can contact the SUN Bucks Hotline at 1-800-332-6347.
Photo via Pixabay
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