VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach City Public Schools is proactively ensuring families have enough to eat this summer. For the first time in the division’s history, it’s launching the grocery benefits program “Sun Bucks.”
“That’s why we’re here. We’re here for the community, and it makes us feel that we’re making a difference,” said Viorica Harrison, the Director of Food Services for Virginia Beach City Public School Division.
Currently, in Virginia, 14% of school-aged children experience food insecurities. The division says its Sun Bucks program will help more than 20,000 students in Virginia Beach this summer.
The 2020 pandemic partially inspired the program. Harrison said that several families received money for groceries during the pandemic through a pandemic EBT program. However, the program ended in late 2023, but federal lawmakers bought it back afterward under the new name, Sun Bucks.
“At pandemic times, there were quite many negative aspects from it, and to have a positive come out of it, it’s always a win,” said Harrison.
Under the program, families will receive a lump sum of $120 for each eligible student. Then, parents can purchase groceries.
Moreover, the division says the program will give parents and caregivers buy healthy goods for their children, give families the flexibility to purchase foods their lifestyle and say it would improve food security and diet quality for participating students.
The division says they will run the Sun Bucks and offer students free summer meals at locations in the division.