Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia is urging eligible families to apply for SUN Bucks, a state summer nutrition program, before the August 31 deadline.
The program provides a one-time $120 benefit for each eligible school-aged child during summer months when schools close and children lose access to free or reduced-price meals. More than 628,000 Virginia children have received the benefit since the program launched in June.
SUN Bucks can be used to purchase groceries including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and meat at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retailers that accept SNAP EBT benefits. Virginia Fresh Match, a network of farmers markets and local food retailers, doubles the value of SNAP purchases on fruits and vegetables.
Eligible families can apply through a new online application, by mailing a paper form, or by calling the SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414. Virginia is one of 39 states participating in the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program.
The push comes as Congress cut $187 billion in federal SNAP funding over the next decade. According to state dashboards, nearly 7,000 Virginians are at risk of losing food assistance due to these federal reductions. The state's 2026-2028 budget includes nearly $1 billion in investments to protect residents from impacts of the federal cuts, including $135 million to support SNAP administrative costs.