Fighting childhood hunger: Hawaii's SUN Bucks application opens
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii is bringing back its SUN Bucks program to make sure no child goes hungry this summer, and the application period is already open.
For its second straight year, the Department of Human Services and the Hawaii Department of Education are banding together to feed more than 100,000 school-aged keiki statewide.
Two Punahou teens turn snack mix into a mission to help others
'Access to nutritious meals shouldn't end when school lets out. For many families, summer can be a challenging time to ensure their children eat well,' said First Lady Jaime Kanani Green.
Officials said households will receive $177 for each qualifying child.
Keiki are automatically eligible if their household participated in SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs from July 1, 2024 to Aug. 3.
Foster, homeless, runaway or migrant keiki are also automatically eligible.Households that did not apply or were not approved for free, reduced-price school meals or fall at or below the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines must complete a SUN Bucks application.
DHS said those who applied and were determined eligible during the Summer 2024 period do not need to submit a new application.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
The application period will be open from now through Aug. 3. To begin yours or for more information, visit DHS's website or call the SUN Bucks Customer Service line at (888) 975-7328.
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