FAIRMONT – Formerly known as the Summer EBT program, the state SUN Bucks program is looking to shine assistance onto families with children in the Fairmont Area School District.

SUN Bucks was created to help during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with the name change has been changed to a permanent program.

With the school’s nutritional programming, the school’s Finance and Business Management Director Jessica Korte said most students at the public schools as well as Southern Plains Educational Cooperative, St John’s Vianney and St. Paul Lutheran should qualify. In a master document to be sent to the state, around 600 students will be receiving aid.

The SUN Bucks are distributed through the mail on cards, with $120 on each card and a card given for each eligible child. Funds can be used at authorized grocery stores and farmers markets to purchase healthy foods. Funds are meant to be used during the summer period, and will expire 122 days after the benefits became available.

“It’s a way for them to get additional funds while they’re not in school,” Korte said. “They’re not receiving the free lunch and breakfast like they do during the school year. We do have a higher percentage of free and reduced students here.”

While school lunches are free now in Minnesota, free and reduced lunch data is still tracked for programs like this to gauge assistance necessity and funding amounts.

Since the program’s start, Korte said it has assisted those struggling with rising prices.

“We know groceries are getting more expensive,” she said. “It’s helpful for families to help bridge that gap for the two extra meals they’re feeding their kid when their school’s not in session.”

Even though students are automatically enrolled, Korte said they have still worked to get the word out about the program directly through students and online. Currently, no confusion or issues have been reported regarding the name change.

If a family has received funds to a separate summer ebt card before, Korte said those cards will not be used moving and can be disposed of. SUN Buck cards received this year will be re-loaded in future years as long as the child still qualifies.

In addition to this, Korte said they will also be having their summer food service program from July 7-25. Students 18 and under can eat lunch and dinner for free Monday through Friday during those weeks.

For more information on SUN Bucks, call the helpline at 651-431-4608. To check if you will be receiving SUN Bucks for your child next year, call Mary Cole at 507-235-4006. For more info and times for the food service program, call Korte at 507-238-4234.