Eligible Maine kids will get extra grocery benefits this summer - and we need your help to spread the word!
SUN Bucks is a new program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to purchase essential foods like fruits, veggies, meats, whole grains, and dairy. Nearly 100,000 Maine children will be streamline certified and receive these benefits automatically, and will receive letters from DHHS letting them know that they are eligible and enrolled. Any eligible children not streamline certified will need to apply to receive SUN Bucks. Many households will likely be unfamiliar with the program, its benefits, and how to access them.
That's where you come in. As key players in our community and statewide food system, we're hoping you can help us spread the word far and wide!
To help, please visit our SUN Bucks information site here, where you can learn more about the program and access our outreach toolkit, which includes social media graphics and posts, newsletter copy, phone and text scripts, posters and more (toolkit materials are currently in English - but please check back soon for additional languages). We've also created an eligibility screening quiz for potential applicants.
Regarding the eligibility quiz, please feel free to direct potential SUN Bucks applicants to our site. Alternatively, we've also provided the code to the survey here, which you are more than welcome to add to your own sites!
One last word: The SUN Bucks application will NOT be available until June 1st! While links to the application page (located on the DHHS website) have been provided in the toolkit materials, please let families know they can apply starting June 1st.
Thank you for anything and everything you're able to do to help spread the word! We encourage you to use all materials in the above toolkit to let people know about this vital program. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
With gratitude,
Anna Korsen
Policy and Program Director