ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore announced that the expanded Maryland SUN Bucks program provided critical food assistance to more than 586,000 children across the state during the summer of 2024. Administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), the program issued $70.59 million in federally funded grocery benefits from June through August, marking the largest initiative aimed at reducing childhood hunger in Maryland’s history.
“No child should ever go hungry – and yet, we know that putting food on the table is a challenge for many Maryland families,” said Governor Moore. “That’s why our administration launched a frontal assault on child poverty by bringing those closest to the challenges to the table to help us find solutions. Maryland SUN Bucks marks our latest action to ensure that our children can stay healthy as they learn and grow – and it won’t be the last.”
The Maryland SUN Bucks initiative builds upon the existing Summer SNAP program, significantly expanding its scope and reach. With a six-fold increase in coverage, the program extended to families across all 24 jurisdictions in Maryland. Unlike previous assistance programs, the expanded version did not require local government matching funds.
Participation in the program surged dramatically in certain areas. The Eastern Shore saw a tenfold increase in the number of families receiving benefits, while Western Maryland experienced a remarkable 71-fold rise.
“In its inaugural year, Maryland SUN Bucks has proven to be a tremendous success, making a significant difference across the entire state,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “These results demonstrate our commitment to ending childhood poverty. We are reaching more children than ever before and helping more families put meals on the table.”
Program Design and Implementation
The Maryland SUN Bucks program was designed to streamline access for families in need. Families who were already enrolled in other assistance programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance, or Medicaid, were automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks. This automatic enrollment process ensured that more than 99% of eligible children received benefits without having to navigate additional paperwork.
Families received $40 per child per month for the three months of summer—June, July, and August—totaling $120 per child for the entire season. These benefits were loaded directly onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards or distributed via Maryland SUN Bucks cards, ensuring ease of access and reducing logistical barriers for recipients.
In addition to school-aged children and teens who qualify for free and reduced-price meals, the program reached children in out-of-home care and those experiencing homelessness. For families that applied later in the summer, retroactive benefits were provided, ensuring that children received aid for all eligible months.
Notably, the program’s outreach also included a provision for automatic eligibility for the following summer’s benefits for families who were approved between July 1 and August 31, further simplifying the process and ensuring continued support for Maryland families.
Program Impact and Future Expansion
The SUN Bucks program represents a critical component of Maryland’s broader effort to combat child poverty and hunger. By providing food assistance during the summer months when school meal programs are typically unavailable, the state aims to bridge the gap for families struggling with food insecurity.
While this is the program’s inaugural year, the success of SUN Bucks signals potential for further expansion and refinement. According to state officials, the lessons learned from this year’s rollout will inform future efforts to improve access to food assistance for low-income families, particularly during times of heightened need.
For more information on Maryland SUN Bucks, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks.
