Senator Marvin Blyden, vice-chair of the Committee on Human Services, praised the upcoming launch of a permanent federal food benefit program. Under this program, all 12,000 plus children enrolled in school lunch participating schools will receive a SNAP benefit to help with food expenses during the summer months.
Blyden said that the SUN Bucks Program, which began as a temporary program during the COVID-19 pandemic, was made permanent by Congress under the Consolidated Appropriations Act last fall and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to the press release.
Each child enrolled in a Virgin Islands public or private school participating in the School Lunch Program will receive a benefit of $59 per month for three months, totaling $177. These benefits will be distributed by loading them onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card issued to each child’s family. It’s important to note that the benefits will be provided whether or not the child is a part of the SNAP program, the press release stated.
Blyden commended the leadership and staff of the Human Services Department for promptly submitting documentation to the federal government, allowing the Virgin Islands to participate in the program. However, he is urging the department to ensure that benefits reach Virgin Islands families as quickly as possible, the release stated.
“The purpose of this program,” said Blyden, “is to make sure that school children’s nutrition does not suffer during the summer vacation. A disturbingly large number of schoolchildren depend on the food they receive at school. As such, they should start receiving these benefits as soon as possible after the school year ends. My information indicates to me that benefits will not be distributed to our school children until August. If it is humanly possible, however, I implore the Commissioner and her staff to do everything in their power to try and get them out sooner. There are hungry children in our community who need them.”
Blyden urges residents seeking more information to contact his office at 340-693-3567 or to call the Family Services Division of the Human Services Department at 340-744-0930.
