YORK, Pa. — While summer brings the end to the school year, for millions of children it also brings the end to a guaranteed meal through free and reduced lunch programs.
According the the latest data form Feeding American, 436,000 children in Pennsylvania struggle with food insecurity.
The USDA is looking to tackle childhood hunger during the summer months with their SUN Programs.
The programs offer options ranging from getting meals at different locations throughout the community, to take home meals in more rural areas.
A new SUN Bucks program gives $120, per eligible school-aged child, to families and caregivers to spend on summer groceries.
"One of the great things about the SUN Bucks program is many families wont need to do anything at all," said Cindy Long, a food and nutrition service advisor with the USDA. "If they’re participating in like SNAP or TANF, or other programs that Pennsylvania runs to support families, they won't need to take any action."
Other families that aren’t participating in those programs may also be eligible. They will need to fill out a simple application that the state will make available.
It’s estimated the USDA will be able to serve 1.2 million kids across Pennsylvania, through these programs.