New tools, resources help Michigan families combat summer hunger

UTICA, Mich. – Families have new tools and brand-new resources to make sure their children don’t go hungry when schools close for the summer.

A large percentage of Michigan’s children rely on school hours to get their only meals for the day. When schools close for the summer, roughly half of Michigan’s children face food insecurity.

Thanks to a new government program, getting food and food assistance is easier than ever.

The Utica School District is part of a network of districts that are part of the Meet Up and Eat Up program. Simply put, anyone under the age of 18 can show up and eat with no barriers -- like paperwork or proof of need or even an address. Utica has 13 different sites for its programs, but they aren’t the only ones helping out.

Now, the federal government has jumped in with its new program, which is part of the SUN Bucks program, where qualifying families can get a $120 money card to assist with grocery buying. It’s similar to the EBT card, but this one is extra and wherever families get assistance, they should ask how to get enrolled in the SUN Bucks program.

You can find more sites and locations of the Meet Up and Eat Up program here.