Chula Vista

New state food-assistance program gives families with kids a break during summer break

New program gives eligible families $120 per child during summer school breaks

NBC Universal, Inc.

The summer break is right around the corner for millions of California school children.

While the kids canโ€™t wait, thousands of parents are stressing the loss of free school meals, especially with the skyrocketing cost of groceries.

โ€œI can't afford it right now,โ€ said Brenda Tellez, a Chula Vista mother of twin third-graders. โ€œI cannot do it, but I'm trying to hang in there because they need me.โ€

Tellez and thousands of families in San Diego County and throughout the state now have help: The San Diego Hunger Coalition announced the new SUN Bucks program on Friday. The permanent summer program will give eligible families $120 per child when school is out of session. The Hunger Coalition said it operates like CalFresh, but only during the summer.

โ€œThis impacts a great number of our families,โ€ said Josh Kohler, director of community schools for the Chula Vista Elementary School District.

Kohler estimated half the kids in his district may struggle with hunger this summer.

โ€œIt's not so much a haves/have nots as it's, unfortunately, a universal piece that feels those impacts,โ€ Kohler said.

The SUN Bucks program begins next month. The state estimates it will help about 5 million children this summer.

โ€œIt is a big help and I appreciate it, and I'm thankful,โ€ Tellez told NBC 7.

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