HELENA — On Friday, representatives with the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited Helena to observe an initiative that unites federal, state, and local partners to ensure children receive meals during the summer months.
They toured Memorial Park and the Lewis and Clark Library, two locations where Helena’s summer meal program distributes free meal bags to families with children. Each child receives six meals to take home for Friday and the weekend.
This effort is part of the national “SUN Meals to Go” program, which is one of three summer nutrition programs highlighted by the USDA.
Mario Ramos, acting regional administrator for the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, commended the adaptability of the programs, especially in locations like Montana with vast geographic areas and diverse needs.
The SUN Meals program provides meals at various community sites such as parks, schools, and centers, free to children under 18 who eat on-site. The Meals to Go program, available in rural areas, allows for pickups and deliveries, concepts that emerged during the pandemic.
Helena Public Schools and Sodexo sponsor the program in Helena. Robert Worthy, the school district’s food service director, mentioned that the area qualifies as rural due to population, enabling them to offer a “to go” option, which has made a significant impact.
Worthy shared, “Having the multi-meals allowed people to come, and it was worth their time, and all of a sudden people started showing up. We were doubling the numbers.”
Last summer alone, 64,000 meals were distributed in Helena, with over 20,000 already provided this year.
Montana Office of Public Instruction reported that summer meal programs served over 950,000 meals statewide last year, a 27% increase from 2022, at more than 250 sites. Find a site near you on the USDA website.
Worthy mentioned that sign-ups for the program are available at meal sites on distribution days, but families are encouraged to enroll in advance for meal preparation and dietary accommodations.
Montana is among 30 states participating in “SUN Bucks,” a summer EBT program providing $120 per eligible child for grocery purchases. It emerged from the P-EBT program during the pandemic.
SUN Bucks are automatically available to families enrolled in programs like SNAP and TANF, as well as those eligible for free and reduced-price school meals. Other families can apply directly if they meet requirements. More information is available here.
State estimates suggest about 70,000 children in Montana will qualify for the summer EBT program this year.
Montana’s participation in P-EBT was uncertain in the last two years, as state leaders initially opted out in 2022 before rejoining when the federal government allowed flexibility, and then opting out again in 2023 citing administrative challenges.
Ramos mentioned that USDA is assisting state partners with the introduction of SUN Bucks.
He stated, “This commitment to food security through the summer months allows us to establish sustainable infrastructure and administrative systems to support program implementations.”
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services confirmed that families will receive their benefits in late summer or early fall, despite a switch in EBT vendors, ensuring the program launch in 2024 as scheduled.