JACKSON, Wyo. — The federal SUN Bucks supplemental grocery benefit program application window closes at the end of the day on August 31.
The program, which is intended to help families feed school-aged children during the summer, made its debut in Wyoming this year.
“When we started this program in the spring, we estimated we would have 32,000 eligible children in Wyoming,” Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) Korin Schmidt said in a press release. “We now have over 36,000 children enrolled. We found that we have a greater need than we had expected.”
According to the press release, as of August 10 $4.4 million in benefits were issued and $1.9 million were redeemed.
The program helps families buy groceries for children eligible for free and reduced meals if they qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP); the Personal Opportunities with Employment Responsibilities (POWER) program; the National School Lunch Program (NSLP); are income eligible and on Medicaid; or are income-eligible and attending a school that participates in the NSLP.
Eligible families receive one SUN Bucks card for each child loaded with a $120 credit for food, which can be used at any authorized SNAP retailer. Families can apply for the program and track their applications on the DFS website.
