Published July 21, 2026
For thousands of children across the District, the end of the school year means more than a break from the classroom. Summer break means losing access to healthy breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school day. During the summer months, families often face higher grocery bills while children lose a dependable source of nutritious meals.
Fortunately, the District has two powerful tools to help close the summer hunger gap: the D.C. Youth Meals Program and D.C. SUN Bucks. These programs help ensure children have consistent access to nutritious food all summer long.
No-Cost Summer Meals Across the District
The DCYouth Meals Program provides nutritious meals at no cost to all children and teens ages 18 and younger at various locations throughout the District. No registration, application, identification, or proof of income is required. Children simply show up and enjoy a healthy meal. Meal sites are located at schools, recreation centers, libraries, parks, and community organizations, making it easier for families to access food close to home. Beyond providing nourishment, these meal sites create opportunities for children to stay connected to their communities, participate in summer programming, and return to school healthier and ready to learn.
Bringing Healthy Meals Directly to Neighborhoods
Not every child can travel to a traditional summer meal site. That’s why the District also operates mobile meal sites, bringing healthy meals directly to neighborhoods where children live and play. Mobile meal and pop-up distribution sites help reach families facing transportation barriers or limited access to nearby meal locations, making it easier for more children to enjoy nutritious meals throughout the summer. By meeting families where they are, the District is expanding access and ensuring that more children can benefit from the D.C. Youth Meals Program.
Helping Families Stretch Their Grocery Budget
While meal sites play a critical role, they cannot meet every family’s needs. Transportation challenges, work schedules, summer camps, and other barriers often make it difficult for children to attend meal sites every day. That’s where D.C. SUN Bucks makes a difference. SUNBucks provides $120 in grocery benefits for each eligible child to help families purchase food during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Benefits can be used at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other retailers that accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, giving families greater flexibility to purchase foods that meet their children’s needs. Many eligible students are automatically enrolled, while others may qualify by submitting an application.
This year, parents can now check if their student is eligible for SUN Bucksby using the “Check Eligibility and Apply” option. Also new this year is the Parent Portal login. Parents and guardians are able to create a login to manage their SUN Bucks account online, view their student’s benefits, replace their SUN Bucks card, and more!
Why Summer Nutrition Matters More Than Ever
As families continue to navigate rising food prices and economic uncertainty, protecting children’s access to nutrition has never been more important. The passage of the budget reconciliation law (H.R. 1) as fundamentally changed how our nation responds to food insecurity. Since January 2025, an estimated 5.8million people have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Households, including those with children, are now facing new barriers to SNAP participation due to expanded work requirements and additional administrative burdens. For the District, this changing landscape makes investments in proven child nutrition programs even more essential. The DC Youth Meals Program and SUN Bucks cannot replace SNAP, but they can help fill critical gaps for families with children during one of the most challenging times of the year.
Every child should be able to spend summer focused on learning, playing, and growing — not worrying about where their next meal will come from.
How You Can Help
Community partners, schools, libraries, faith-based organizations, health care providers, and neighbors all play an important role in ensuring families know these resources are available. Sharing information about nearby meal sites and helping eligible families access D.C. SUN Bucks can make a meaningful difference.
When we connect families to summer nutrition programs, we invest not only in children’s health today, but also in their ability to succeed in school and beyond.
To learn more about the DCYouth Meals Program, including how to find a meal site near you, visit osse.dc.gov/dcyouthmeals. For information about D.C. SUN Bucks, including eligibility and how to apply, visit sunbucks.dc.gov.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact D.C. Hunger Solutions at info@dchunger.org.