By Andi Anderson
After Indiana chose not to join the federal SUN Bucks program this summer, food assistance advocates are now worried about the future of other support programs like SNAP.
The SUN Bucks program helped low-income families by providing $120 per child each month during the summer to buy groceries. It was designed to help children who usually rely on school meals when school is out.
However, Indiana officials missed the initial February application deadline. The state submitted a waiver in March but did not receive a federal response in time. When the Braun administration took over, they chose not to fund the $2.8 million administrative cost required to run the program.
Mark Lynch, director of advocacy at Indy Hunger Network, expressed concern over this decision. “We heard that the $2.8 million that it would cost to administer the fund for the summer was something that the Braun administration didn't feel like they had the money to do,” he said.
Lynch added that this raises larger questions about the state’s willingness to support other major food aid programs. He warned that upcoming changes to the national SNAP program could require Indiana to cover an estimated $350 million cost share. If the state wouldn’t fund $2.8 million for SUN Bucks, it may also avoid larger expenses.
Last year, approximately 669,000 children in Indiana benefited from SUN Bucks. Many families depended on the program to help feed their children during the summer break.
Now, with that support gone and future programs at risk, advocates are urging the state to prioritize the health and well-being of families in need. They stress that investing in food security today is essential to building stronger, healthier communities for tomorrow.
As the discussion continues, many are watching closely to see how Indiana will respond to future federal food program opportunities.
Photo Credit: pexels-julia-m-cameron
Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle