Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) – Today, as students transition into summer break, the Bowser Administration is encouraging families to take advantage of programs that provide students with free meals during the summer months. These programs are part of the Administration’s ongoing commitment to closing food access gaps, supporting families, and promoting student health and well-being all year long. Families are encouraged to explore summer programs and additional resources at summer.dc.gov.  
 
DC SUN Bucks 
The DC SUN Bucks program has returned for 2025. DC SUN Bucks is a federal nutrition assistance program that helps families buy food for their school-aged children during summer break when kids lose access to school meals. This program helps close the summer hunger gap when students do not have access to nutritious school meals. Eligible students will receive a one-time $120 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefit to purchase food this summer. 
 
The District will distribute almost $10 million in federally funded food benefits from USDA to an estimated 80,000 students. The benefits will be provided on an EBT card and can be used to buy food at any authorized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer, like grocery stores and farmers markets. Benefits will be available to use for 122 days (about four months) after they are issued.

“We are excited to announce we have distributed the first round of 2025 DC SUN Bucks benefits to almost 70,000 DC students — and thousands more families will receive benefits in the coming months,” said A.D. Rachel Pierre, Interim Director of the Department of Human Services. “These benefits are critical to help District families provide food for their kids while school is out. Over $8 million in SUN Bucks have already been issued in DC and will be invested in local stores and farmers markets across the District.”
 
DC SUN Bucks will benefit DC students and school-aged children, pre-K and up, who live in a household with an annual income less than or equal to 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and attend a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Almost 90% of eligible students have already been issued their benefits automatically and do not need to apply; for students receiving SNAP or TANF, the benefit has already been added directly to their existing SNAP or TANF card. For students who are automatically eligible because they participate in a qualifying Medicaid program, had an approved FARM application at school, or are in foster care or experiencing homelessness, a new DC SUN Bucks card has been mailed to their address on file. Some children between ages 5-18 years old who participate in a qualifying Medicaid program but are not enrolled in school may need to fill out a short opt-in form before they can receive their new DC SUN Bucks card.  
 
Families with students enrolled in a NSLP school and with income at or under 185% FPL who are not automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks will need to submit an application, opening late June on sunbucks.dc.gov. Families can apply to receive benefits for Summer 2025 through August 25, 2025. 
 
“No child should lose access to healthy food just because school is out,” said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. “DC SUN Bucks helps fill that summer nutrition gap by putting grocery benefits directly into the hands of families who need them most. For us at DC Health, this program represents more than a temporary solution — it’s part of a long-term strategy to support healthier kids, stronger families, and a future with fewer nutrition-related health issues. By ensuring families know about DC SUN Bucks and how to access it, we’re advancing our mission to create a healthier DC, one meal at a time.” 
 
Additionally, DHS, DC Health, and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) are collaborating with community-based organizations and partnering with school-based liaisons to ensure students experiencing homelessness can access benefits without a permanent address. Families can check their eligibility, learn more about DC SUN Bucks, and complete the Medicaid opt-in form or application at sunbucks.dc.gov. Support is also available by calling the DC SUN Bucks Call Center at (202) 888-4834, TTY/TTD: 711.
 
DC Youth Meals Program 
The Bowser Administration is also encouraging families to take advantage of the DC Youth Meals Program, which ensures children and youth have access to healthy, free meals throughout the summer. Select DC Youth Meals Program sites opened today, Friday, June 20, with most sites beginning meal service on Monday, June 23 and operating through Sunday, August 24. Families can find meal sites by ward at osse.dc.gov/dcyouthmeals.
 
In FY24, the program served nearly 384,000 meals at 189 sites with support from 12 sponsoring organizations. 
 
“We know that students thrive when they have access to healthy meals, and these programs are critical to ensuring that no child in DC goes hungry during the summer months,” said State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell. “SUN Bucks and the DC Youth Meals Program provide essential support to families, helping children get the nutrition they need to grow, play, and prepare for the upcoming school year.”  
 
DCPS Summer Food Service Program
Beginning Tuesday, June 24, DCPS will serve free breakfast and lunch to all youth 18 and younger across the city all summer long. Students are welcome to stop into a DCPS summer school site where they can be served a meal to consume on-site. DCPS summer schedules can be found here. Breakfast is generally served from 8 am to 10 am and lunch from 11 am to 1 pm.
 

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