Alabama School Guide to SUN Bucks
Thanks for participating in our Alabama SUN Bucks awareness campaign! In this Outreach Kit, we’ll review how the program will work in Alabama this summer, share ready-to-use communication materials, and equip you to answer families' questions.
We addressed common concerns and provided strategies to minimize confusion about SUN Bucks benefits. Remember, clear messaging will help ensure families in your school community can access this important food assistance during the summer months. We’ve provided messaging options for social media and school emails, text and robocalls, so that you can easily plug messages into the platforms used at your school.
- Families who are eligible for SUN Bucks, but don’t know about the new program or that they need to apply
- Families who are eligible and automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks, but don’t know about the program
The objective of our SUN Bucks communications campaign is to spread awareness and drive action.
Our key messages are simple:
- SUN Bucks is here to help feed your kids when school's out!
- Some children will be automatically enrolled, while others need to apply.
- We encourage you to check to see if you’re eligible and sign up if needed.
- SUN Bucks and summer meals are intended to work together to replace the loss of access to school meals during summer.
Eligible children in CEP schools are the most likely not to be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks, and therefore fall through the cracks. That’s why sharing these messages at CEP schools is especially important.
Based on findings from our 2024 SUN Bucks campaign focus groups with stakeholders across the country, we found that the most trusted voice for eligible families is schools. Therefore, we created this outreach kit to be delivered by schools and school staff.
💡 We’ve designed an info sheet to help educate your staff and trusted community members, to ensure they have all the information they need to support families at their schools and understand SUN Bucks.
School Staff Fact Sheet
Newsletter Blurb for School Staff on SUN Bucks (Overview of Basic Program Info):
Alabama launches the first summer of SUN Bucks!
The SUN Bucks program provides grocery benefits to families with school-aged children in our community. This important program is expected to help over 500,000 kids in Alabama get access to healthy food this summer, and it’s just one of several programs that help families in our community. SUN Bucks works alongside Summer Meals to help make sure kids in Alabama are getting nutritious food all year round.
Here’s what you need to know:
- SUN Bucks is for school-aged children in households that are at or under 185% of federal poverty guidelines.
- Families receive $120 per eligible school-aged child for groceries.
- Most eligible families will be automatically enrolled, but some will need to apply.
- Alabama SUN Bucks will be delivered on a new Alabama SUN Bucks card with the child’s name on it.
- If a family has already received an Alabama SUN Bucks card with their child’s name on it in the mail, they can start using it right away!
- If they aren’t automatically enrolled in the program, families can check their eligibility and apply at alabama-sunbucks.com.
Social Media Content
English
Image text:
Alabama SUN Bucks is here! (AL SUN Bucks Social Media 1)
Caption:
Need a little help with the cost of groceries when your kids are home for the summer? Alabama SUN Bucks is a new program for school-aged children in households who need it.
Here’s what you need to know:
🍞SUN Bucks is for school-aged children in households that need the extra support.
🍚Families receive $120 per eligible school-aged child for groceries.
🍎Most eligible families will be automatically enrolled, but some will need to apply.
🥪If you’ve already received an Alabama SUN Bucks card in the mail, activate the card, and start using your card once the benefits load! (And save it for next year!)
🥛If you weren’t automatically enrolled in the program, you can check your eligibility and apply at www.alabama-sunbucks.com
English
Image text:
Get $120 worth of grocery benefits (AL SUN Bucks Social Media 2)
Caption:
SUN Bucks helps families with $120 in extra support for groceries for kids when school's out! This important program is expected to help over 500,000 kids in Alabama get access to healthy food this summer!
Most eligible families who receive SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid through the school demonstration project were automatically enrolled and should have already received an Alabama SUN Bucks card in the mail. But others (like you!) may qualify too. You just need to check your eligibility and apply today at www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
It’s quick and easy!
English
Image text:
Let’s help our kids get nutritious food during the summer break (AL SUN Bucks Social Media 3)
Caption:
SUN Bucks helps make sure kids in Alabama are getting nutritious food this summer!
Have you applied for SUN Bucks?
🍎If you haven’t already received or signed up for SUN Bucks, there’s still time! You can check your eligibility and apply at www.alabama-sunbucks.com
English
Image text:
Enrollment for Alabama SUN Bucks is now open! (AL SUN Bucks Social Media 4)
Caption:
Welcome back to school! Didn't get your SUN Bucks benefits yet? It's not too late!
You can apply for SUN Bucks for summer 2025 until August 15th. Eligible families will receive $120 per school-aged child.
Apply today at www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
English
Image text:
Alabama SUN Bucks is here! (AL SUN Bucks Social Media 1)
Caption:
🍎 Your SUN Bucks benefits must be used in 4 months, or they will expire. This means it's the perfect time to stock up on favorites and try some nutritious foods your kids will love!
Pro tip: Once you’ve used your benefits, keep the card! Eligible families will receive benefits on the same card next summer!
💡 We created specific messages and materials to use at CEP schools because it can be confusing to understand if children are receiving benefits automatically or need to apply. We want to work extra hard to inform these families! There are two email messages with guidance on timing of when to send them, text messages, robocall scripts, and a flyer that you can download and print.
English
Subject line: It’s time to sign up for Alabama SUN Bucks!
Dear parents and families,
We're reaching out to share important information about Alabama’s new SUN Bucks program.
What is SUN Bucks?
Alabama SUN Bucks provides an extra $120 per school-aged child for groceries during summer break. This year, SUN Bucks is expected to help over 500,000 children in Alabama access nutritious food while they are out of school!
Check to see if you’re eligible for SUN Bucks
Most eligible families receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid through the school demonstration project are automatically enrolled, but others (like you!) may qualify too.
Apply for SUN Bucks support today!
You can check your eligibility and apply www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
Send before August 15th!
English
Subject line: Don’t miss out on SUN Bucks support for your kids!
Dear parents and families,
As we kick off a new school year, we wanted to make sure you don’t miss out on Alabama SUN Bucks support. If you haven’t already received your SUN Bucks benefits, eligible families can still sign up to receive $120 per school-aged child until August 15th. This extra food support can help your family as you adjust to the new school year routines.
There’s still time to check to see if you’re eligible and sign up for SUN Bucks. Visit alabama-sunbucks.com.
If you’ve already received an Alabama SUN Bucks card in the mail, you can use your benefits now. After they are issued, SUN Bucks benefits need to be used within 4 months, or they will expire. Once you’ve used your benefits, keep the card! Eligible families will receive benefits on the same card next summer!
Start the school year off right, with healthy grocery support from Alabama SUN Bucks.
Take-Home Flyer
English
Hello! This is an important message from your child’s school about signing up for Alabama SUN Bucks.
SUN Bucks is here! This new program provides $120 in extra grocery benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during summer break.
Most eligible families will be automatically enrolled, but some will need to apply. Signing up is quick and easy. Check if you need to apply at www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
For families that receive SUN Bucks cards this year, hold onto your cards! Eligible families will receive benefits on the same card next summer.
Thank you and have a great day.
English
The Alabama SUN Bucks program is here! Are you already signed up?
Unless you’re receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid through the school demonstration project, you may need to sign up for SUN Bucks. Here’s the deal:
SUN Bucks helps families with $120 in extra support for groceries for kids when school's out! Most eligible families are automatically enrolled, but others (like you!) may qualify too. You just need to apply. It’s quick and easy. Find out if you're eligible and apply here: www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
And for families that receive SUN Bucks cards this year, hold onto your cards! Eligible families will receive benefits on the same card next summer.
We’re here to help answer questions, just ask!
💡 We created specific messages and materials to use at non-CEP schools. There are two email messages with guidance on timing of when to send them, text messages, robocall scripts, and a flyer that you can download and print.
English
Subject line: Alabama SUN Bucks is here!
Dear parents and families,
We're reaching out to share important information about Alabama’s new SUN Bucks program.
What is SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks provides an extra $120 per school-aged child for groceries during summer break for households that need the extra support. This year, the SUN Bucks program is expected to help over 500,000 children in Alabama access nutritious food.
If you’ve already received your Alabama SUN Bucks card in the mail, activate the card, and start using your card to shop for healthy and delicious food once the benefits load!
- You can learn more at: www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
- If you have questions, email support@alabama-sunbucks.com or call 1-800-443-3536 for support in English and Spanish.
If you weren’t automatically enrolled in the program, you can check your eligibility and apply at www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
Send before August 15th!
English
Subject line: Don’t miss out on SUN Bucks support for your kids!
Dear parents and families,
As we kick off a new school year, we wanted to make sure you don’t miss out on Alabama SUN Bucks support. If you haven’t already received your SUN Bucks benefits, eligible families can still sign up to receive $120 per school-aged child until August 15th. This extra food support can help your family as you adjust to the new school year routines.
There’s still time to check to see if you’re eligible and sign up for SUN Bucks. Visit alabama-sunbucks.com.
If you’ve already received an Alabama SUN Bucks card in the mail, you can use your benefits now. After they are issued, SUN Bucks benefits need to be used within 4 months, or they will expire. Once you’ve used your benefits, keep the card! Eligible families will receive benefits on the same card next summer!
Start the school year off right, with healthy grocery support from Alabama SUN Bucks.
Take-Home Flyer
English
Hello! This is an important message from your child’s school about the new Alabama SUN Bucks program.
SUN Bucks is here! This new program provides $120 in extra grocery benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during summer break.
If you’ve already received your Alabama SUN Bucks card in the mail, activate the card, and start using your card once the benefits load! If you haven’t, you can learn more and check if you are eligible at www.alabama-sunbucks.com
For families that receive SUN Bucks cards this year, hold onto your cards! Eligible families will receive benefits on the same card next summer.
Thank you and have a great summer!
English
The Alabama SUN Bucks program is here! Are you already signed up?
SUN Bucks helps families with $120 in extra support for groceries for kids when school's out! Most eligible families are automatically enrolled, but others (like you!) may qualify too. You just need to apply. It’s quick and easy. Find out if you're eligible and apply here: www.alabama-sunbucks.com.
If you’ve already received your Alabama SUN Bucks card in the mail, activate the card, and start using your card once the benefits load! Remember to hold onto your card – eligible families will receive benefits on the same card next summer!
You can learn more at: alabama-sunbucks.com
If you have questions, email support@alabama-sunbucks.com or call 1-800-443-3536 for support in English and Spanish.