Gov. Mark Gordon has signed an executive order to implement the Sun Bucks summer nutrition program, providing meal assistance to eligible children across Wyoming.
The program, known as Sun Bucks, was included in a budget exception request from the Wyoming Department of Family Services during the most recent legislative session but did not receive funding from state lawmakers.
Gordon said his administration identified available resources to move the program forward despite the lack of legislative funding.
“We had kind of looked for opportunities where we could get some efficiencies elsewhere, and it’s been about a monthlong exercise to really see if we could come to the amount of money that was necessary to get this done,” Gordon said.
The governor said the program could provide families with more flexibility during the summer months, allowing parents additional time with their children.
“Opportunity to provide the ability for those parents to get a wee bit of relief so they can spend some time with their kids,” he said. “This is important for our culture. This is important for our state.”
According to the Department of Family Services, eligible children will receive $120 in benefits distributed on electronic cards with restrictions similar to those used by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“It’s an electronic benefits card, and you’re allowed to buy groceries and other food items on this card,” Kelly Douglas, Public Information Officer with the department said. “It has similar restrictions to SNAP.”
Officials said the funds provided through the Sun Bucks program are fully federally funded, while administrative costs will be shared by the state.
Connect with Us:
Want to Share Something with Our Team?