Sample newsletter blurb for organizations (e.g., schools, food banks, advocacy groups) working with families with children who qualify for Summer EBT/SUN Bucks.
[insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks]: [insert State/Territory/ITO name] Offers Program to Improve Food Access for Kids During Summer Break
This summer, [insert state/territory/ITO name] will offer [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks], a summer grocery benefits program that provides families about $120 [customize dollar amount if needed] for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and they might not have access to a regular meal. Most eligible children will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply. The new program is in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at summer meal sites in their communities.
Benefits of [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks]
- Helps more kids get access to healthy foods at the grocery store.
- Gives the flexibility to select a variety of foods.
- Improves food security and diet quality for participating children.
Eligibility
Children are eligible for the program if:
- the household already participates in [customize: SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, etc.], OR
- the child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.
Enrollment
Many children will get [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks] automatically if they are getting other benefits, but some families may need to apply.
- If the household already participates in [customize: SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, etc.], they will be automatically enrolled in the [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks] program. Households do not need to fill out an application.
- If the household is not automatically enrolled and a child may be eligible, they can get [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks] by filling out a simple application.
To learn more about filling out an application, contact [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks agency contact information].
How [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks] Works
The benefits will be [customize: added to an EBT card, provided on a separate EBT card, etc.] and can be used to buy groceries. Families will receive about $120 [customize dollar amount if needed] per eligible child for the summer. Benefits can be used at authorized retailers, like grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, and dairy. Click here [insert website] to learn more.
Help Children in Your Community
[customize based on your community – sample action items below]
- Spread the word in your community! Let households know about the [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks] program and how to receive benefits for their children.
- Encourage families with children who will automatically be enrolled to make sure their mailing address is up to date. [customize: insert link to more info on how to update address]
- Tell families with children who are automatically enrolled to [customize: watch for their card in the mail; or watch for the balance increase on their existing card].
- Encourage families who may have eligible children to apply. [insert website/link to page on how to apply]
- Alert families to fill out an application here [insert link to apply for Summer EBT/SUN Bucks], and to have [customize: insert list of required information needed on the application such as school district name, monthly income, etc.] available to apply.
Children and teens need healthy food year-round to play, grow, and learn. [insert Summer EBT/SUN Bucks] will help families afford to provide their children with the nutrition they need to thrive during the summer. Visit [insert website] to learn more about this exciting new program. Together, we can make summer brighter for our children.