Indiana is opting out of the USDA program SUN Bucks this year. The program provided families with $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child during the summer.
While 13 states in total have declined to participate, most had not previously implemented the program.
Courtney Bearsch, a spokeswoman for Indiana’s Department of Education, said that while SUN Bucks won’t be renewed, students in low-income areas of the state can still receive free summer meals at approximately 1,000 locations (schools and other organizations) through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program.
However, Kate Howe, executive director of the Indy Hunger Network, noted a critical gap in this alternative.
“We expect families living in rural areas to be hit hardest by the elimination of the SUN Bucks program in Indiana, because there are usually fewer meal sites in rural counties,” she said.
In Montgomery County, the need for nutritional support is particularly high. Nearly half of students — 49.7% — received free or reduced-price lunch in 2024, and 78% of households met the income criteria for nutrition programs, according to the Indiana Youth Institute. Yet, the county only has three food pantries, one in Ladoga and two in Crawfordsville. One of them, FISH Food Pantry, is struggling to meet demand.
“This will impact FISH as well as other food pantries in Indiana. Our number of neighbors [clients] are at all time high and donations financially and physically have significantly dropped and it’s all we can do now to distribute food,” Ellen Simpson, FISH Food Coordinator, said. “As kids get out of school the need will continue to grow.”
Despite challenges, local groups are continuing to work to fill the gap.
The Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau runs the Nourish Backpack program, which supplies weekend food to children during the school year — and will continue to do so through the summer for families who sign up by May 16 through their students’ schools.
IYG, a youth organization supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and allies ages 12 to 24, operates a small food pantry and provides meals during its Youth Nights every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.
There are miniature food pantries or cupboards around Montgomery County as well. St. John's Episcopal Church in Crawfordsville now offers food, along with hygiene items, in a small pantry in front of their church.
Kitty Haffner, a spokesperson for the church, said that even though they only started this week the pantry cupboard is empty by the end of each day.
"I don't think our community is aware of how serious it is [food insecurity] in our community," Haffner said. "I also assist with Food Finders' truck with First Christian Church and the need just keeps growing."
Additionally, the Crawfordsville Community School Corporation will offer free lunch to all individuals 18 and younger from noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Meredith Nicholson Elementary School and Crawfordsville Middle School. Adult lunches are available for $4.60. CCSC also will provide meals for children attending the Montgomery County Boys & Girls Club during the summer.
