In a landmark effort to combat childhood hunger, Maryland’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, known as Maryland SUN Bucks, provided nutritional support to a record 604,869 students between June and August 2025. Governor Wes Moore announced the achievement, noting that the program distributed $72.5 million in benefits, marking the state’s largest-ever investment in addressing food insecurity during summer months. This figure reflects an increase of 18,000 students compared to August 2024, showcasing the program’s growing reach across all 24 Maryland jurisdictions.
The SUN Bucks initiative, a collaborative effort involving the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services, delivers $40 per student monthly during June, July, and August, totaling $120 per eligible child. These funds are loaded onto Electronic Benefits Transfer cards, enabling families to purchase food when school meals are unavailable during summer break. The program’s streamlined approach automatically enrolls 98% of recipients, eliminating the need for separate applications for most families. Eligible students include those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance, free or reduced-price school lunches, Medicaid, or those in out-of-home care.
Governor Moore emphasized the program’s role in addressing child poverty, stating, “No child should go hungry. 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 initiative’s success builds on its innovative direct certification process, which simplifies access to benefits and ensures more children receive support without bureaucratic hurdles.
Rafael López, Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary, highlighted the program’s efficiency, noting, “Maryland is taking a common sense approach to combat childhood poverty by making sure students have seamless access to nutritious meals over the summer.” He credited Governor Moore’s leadership for enabling over 604,000 students to benefit from the $72.5 million distributed by August 31, 2025. López added that the state continues to prioritize removing barriers to essential benefits, aligning with the administration’s goal of inclusivity.
The 2025 results mark significant growth from the program’s inaugural year. Compared to the Summer SNAP benefits it replaced, SUN Bucks has reached more than six times as many children over the past two years. This expansion reflects Maryland’s commitment to addressing food insecurity, particularly in regions like Southern Maryland, where local communities benefit from accessible nutrition programs. For example, in counties such as St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles, SUN Bucks supports families who rely on school meals during the academic year, ensuring continuity of nutrition during summer months.
Families with questions about the program can contact the SUN Bucks Hotline at 1-800-332-6347. Benefits expire 122 days after being added to the card, encouraging timely use to maximize support. Additional details are available through the Maryland Department of Human Services website.
The program’s success stems from its integration with existing federal and state frameworks. By leveraging data from SNAP, Medicaid, and school lunch programs, Maryland ensures that eligible families are identified and enrolled with minimal effort. This approach contrasts with traditional application-based systems, which often deter participation due to complexity. The direct certification model, combined with a user-friendly online application for the remaining 2% of recipients, has made SUN Bucks a national model for summer nutrition programs.
In Southern Maryland, where rural and suburban communities face unique economic challenges, SUN Bucks provides critical relief. Local school districts, such as those in Charles County, have long participated in federal nutrition programs, with many students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches. SUN Bucks extends this support, helping families manage grocery budgets during the summer. The program’s impact is particularly significant in areas with limited access to food pantries or community meal sites, ensuring children in places like Lexington Park or Prince Frederick have consistent access to nutritious food.
The initiative aligns with broader state efforts to address poverty and health disparities. By prioritizing childhood nutrition, Maryland aims to improve academic performance, health outcomes, and long-term economic stability for its youngest residents. The SUN Bucks program, now in its second year, demonstrates measurable progress, with the 2025 figures reflecting an 18,000-student increase over the previous year’s enrollment. This growth underscores the state’s ability to scale effective programs through inter-agency collaboration and federal partnerships.
As Maryland continues to refine its approach, the SUN Bucks program serves as a cornerstone of Governor Moore’s commitment to equitable access to resources. The state’s investment in childhood nutrition not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the foundation for healthier, more resilient communities. Families across Southern Maryland and beyond can rely on SUN Bucks as a dependable resource, ensuring no child goes hungry during the summer months.
