Information for NC Educators:
We are amplifying these messages from the NC Department of Health and Human Services about SUN Bucks, which provides grocery-buying benefits in a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food during the summer months when schools are out.
The last day to apply for 2025 SUN Bucks benefits was August 31, 2025.
Any application submitted after September 1, 2025 will be held and considered for the 2026 program.
What is SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks is a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides grocery-buying benefits to qualifying families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are out. Qualifying families will receive a one-time payment of $120 in food assistance benefits per eligible child. Benefits will be issued on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers. Benefit amounts may vary year to year.
SUN Bucks aims to promote physical and mental well-being by increasing access to nutritious foods and alleviating economic strain faced by families when school is out for the summer.
Stay Tuned!
Please visit North Carolina’s SUN Bucks website at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks for more information, eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and updates. You can also monitor the NCDHHS Instagram, Facebook page, and X account for SUN Bucks announcements.
How May Educational Stakeholders Get Involved?
Please direct families to the SUN Bucks website ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks to learn more information about the 2025 and 2026 SUN Bucks program.
The last day to apply for 2025 SUN Bucks benefits was August 31, 2025.
Any application submitted after September 1, 2025 will be held and considered for the 2026 program..
NC 2025 SUN Bucks Poster Contest
Winners & Honorable Mentions!
Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions of the NC 2025 SUN Bucks Poster Contest! There were more than 140 submissions of impressive artwork, and we thank every participant for entering the contest.
SUN Bucks Poster Contest Winners:
Amelia Wu – Highcroft Drive Elementary School
Marian Leverette – North Davidson Middle School
Jadyn Chisholm – Aspire Trade High School
Elementary School Honorable Mentions:
Sadie Diaz – Grady A. Brown Elementary
Allison Del Papa – Etowah Elementary
Kaidyn Wingate – Devonshire Elementary
Caroline Bowels – Bethlehem Elementary
Shika Dhanireddy – White Oak Elementary
Middle School Honorable Mentions:
Abby Cash – North Davidson Middle
Jackson Broadstreet – N. Davidson Middle
Amar Aparna Arun – Mills Park Middle
Olivia Potter – North Davidson Middle
Jaycee Ashburn – North Davidson Middle
High School Honorable Mentions:
Bayli Boggs – Challenger Early College High
Ne’shaun Lane – Sampson Early College
Lillian Crosswell – Watauga High
Zaira Mendoza – Challenger Early College
Helpful Resources
SUN Bucks Flyer
Purpose: This flyer provides more information about the SUN Bucks program. View the Spanish SUN Bucks Flyer here.
Eligibility Flyer
Purpose: This flyer provides information for families about eligibility for SUN Bucks benefits. View the Spanish Eligibility Flyer here.
SUN Programs Flyer
Purpose: In addition to SUN Bucks, youth under 18 can also access free summer meals through SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go programs during the summer months. This flyer provides more information about all SUN Meals programs. View the Spanish SUN Programs Flyer here.
SUN Bucks Social Media Content
Purpose: School stakeholders may utilize the social media stock images and content to share information about the SUN Bucks program on their Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) pages. Help us get the word out and share information about SUN Bucks!
Facebook and Instagram Image (English)
Facebook and Instagram Image (Spanish)
SIS Coordinators Flyer
Purpose: This flyer includes important information for Student Information Services (SIS) Coordinators, who play a critical role in pulling the necessary data to determine student eligibility for SUN Bucks.
Webinars
The Carolina Hunger Initiative and NC DHHS have hosted several webinars for multiple different stakeholders. See our list of SUN Bucks Webinars below to learn more information about the program in Summer 2025.
SUN Bucks 2025: Information for the Education Community
SUN Bucks 2025: Information for Community Organizations
SUN Bucks 2025: Information for School Nutrition Professionals
Other ways to fuel youth during the summer
In addition to receiving SUN Bucks, families also are encouraged to have their children, ages 18 and younger, participate in other federal Summer Nutrition Programs available at no cost to them. Through SUN Meals, kids and teens can eat meals and snacks and engage in fun fitness and educational activities during the summer at schools, parks, and other neighborhood locations. In rural areas where it may be difficult to access and participate in SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-Go may be available for pick up or delivery. Families can find more information at SummerMeals4NCKids.org
SUN Bucks is a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides grocery-buying benefits in a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food during the summer months when schools are out. Please visit North Carolina’s SUN Bucks website at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks for more information.
