CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Department of Family Services is reminding families that the last day to apply for the SUN Bucks summer food program is Aug. 31.

“When we started this program in the spring, we estimated we would have 32,000 eligible children in Wyoming. We now have over 36,000 children enrolled. We found that we have a greater need than we had expected,” said Wyoming Department of Family Services Director Korin Schmidt.

The SUN Bucks program helps families buy groceries for school aged children who are eligible for free and reduced meals. Children can receive SUN Bucks if they qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Personal Opportunities with Employment Responsibilities (POWER) program, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), are income eligible and on Medicaid, or are income-eligible and attending a school that participates
in the NSLP. 

Families receive one SUN Bucks card for each eligible child, which will be pre-loaded with a $120 food benefit. The SUN Bucks card can be used to buy groceries at any authorized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer.

As of Aug. 10, more than 36,500 children have been enrolled in the program, $4.4 million in benefits were issued, and $1.9 million, or 43% of the benefits, were redeemed. Most children were automatically enrolled. 

Families with eligible children who were not automatically enrolled can apply online or with a paper application by Aug. 31 and still receive the full benefit of $120 to buy groceries. Families can check their child’s enrollment and apply online at sunbucks.dfs.wyo.gov/. Online applications will close at midnight on Aug. 31.