South Carolina does not participate in the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program in 2026. South Carolina has declined to participate every year since the program launched in 2024, leaving hundreds of thousands of South Carolina children without the $120-per-child summer grocery benefit available in 37+ other states.
South Carolina is among twelve non-participating states in 2026, joining Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.
Does South Carolina Have SUN Bucks or Summer EBT?
No — South Carolina has not participated in Summer EBT since the program launched. The SUN Bucks program is voluntary for states, and South Carolina’s Governor has chosen not to apply. South Carolina’s Department of Social Services (SCDSS) has not publicly explained the specific reasons for opting out.
According to FRAC (Food Research & Action Center), approximately 9.9 million children nationally — including a significant number in South Carolina — miss out on Summer EBT each year due to state non-participation.
Summer Food Assistance Available to South Carolina Families
1. Summer Break Café — South Carolina’s Summer Food Service Program
South Carolina’s Summer Food Service Program has a distinctive local brand: Summer Break Café. Administered by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), Summer Break Café provides free meals to all children 18 and under at community sites across the state during the summer.
Sites are located in schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, recreation centers, and camps statewide. Summer Break Café sites are funded through the federal SFSP reimbursement system.
How to find a Summer Break Café site near you:
- Dial 211 — South Carolina 211 is available statewide
- Text “FOOD” to 304-304
- Visit the SCDE summer meals page at ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/health-and-nutrition/special-programs/usda-summer-meal-programs
- Visit the USDA site finder at fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites
No EBT card is required, no income verification is needed at the site, and no application is necessary. Free meals are available to any child 18 and under.
2. Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
South Carolina also operates the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) — a program that combines features of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and SFSP to allow school food authorities to more easily provide meals during summer and school vacation periods. SSO reduces administrative burden and makes it easier for school districts to keep feeding students when school is out.
For information about SSO in your school district, contact your district’s food service department or email SSO@ed.sc.gov.
3. MUSC Kids Eat Free Program
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) operates “Kids Eat Free at MUSC” — providing free, healthy meals for children at multiple locations across South Carolina, with a focus on the Charleston area. Since 2015, MUSC has served over 69,000 meals through this initiative.
Sites are open to all children 18 and under Monday through Friday. No financial verification of need is required, but minors must be accompanied by guardians. Contact MUSC’s Office of Community Engagement for site locations and hours.
4. Lowcountry Food Bank — Summer Lunchbox Program
The Lowcountry Food Bank operates a Summer Lunchbox Program serving children in the Charleston and surrounding Lowcountry area, particularly at non-SFSP sites like the MUSC Keith Summey Medical Pavilion. The program works alongside but independently from the federal SFSP.
Contact the Lowcountry Food Bank at lowcountryfoodbank.org for Summer Lunchbox Program details.
5. South Carolina SNAP — Year-Round Through DSS
South Carolina SNAP benefits continue year-round through the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS). Monthly benefits don’t stop in summer, providing ongoing grocery purchasing power.
- Apply online: benefitsonline.scdss.gov
- Phone: 1-800-616-1309
- In person: your local DSS county office
Check South Carolina SNAP income limits and use the SNAP eligibility calculator to confirm your eligibility. See how to apply for SNAP in South Carolina for step-by-step guidance.
6. TEFAP and Commodity Food Programs
South Carolina DSS administers TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), distributing commodity foods through a network of food banks across the state. Low-income families can receive supplemental food through local food bank and pantry distribution sites.
TEFAP households qualify categorically if they receive SNAP, TANF, SSI, or Medicaid.
7. Food Banks and Local Organizations
South Carolina has a network of food banks and nonprofit organizations providing free groceries and summer food programs:
- Harvest Hope Food Bank — Midlands and Columbia area; harvesthope.org
- Lowcountry Food Bank — Charleston area; lowcountryfoodbank.org
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC / Pee Dee Region — Pee Dee and Myrtle Beach area
- Feeding the Carolinas — statewide food bank network; feedingthecarolinas.org
Dial 211 to find the nearest food pantry, food bank distribution, or summer meal program in your area.
8. WIC — For Families With Young Children
South Carolina families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, infant, or child under 5 may qualify for WIC. Check South Carolina WIC income eligibility to see if your family qualifies.
9. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance
South Carolina SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. South Carolina summers are extremely hot, making cooling assistance through LIHEAP significant. See LIHEAP eligibility in South Carolina for how to apply.
Will South Carolina Join Summer EBT in the Future?
South Carolina has declined to participate every year since 2024. Each year, states must notify USDA by January 1 of their intent to participate in the following summer. Advocacy organizations and families can encourage participation by contacting state legislators or the Governor’s office.
FRAC and Feeding the Carolinas continue to advocate for South Carolina’s participation. To urge South Carolina to join SUN Bucks, contact your state legislators or the Governor’s office at governor.sc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina have SUN Bucks in 2026?
No — South Carolina has not participated in the SUN Bucks Summer EBT program since it launched in 2024. Eligible children in South Carolina do not receive the $120-per-child summer grocery benefit available in most other states.
What is the Summer Break Café?
Summer Break Café is South Carolina’s branded Summer Food Service Program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Education. It provides free meals to all children 18 and under at community sites statewide. No EBT card or application needed.
What can South Carolina families use instead of SUN Bucks?
South Carolina SNAP benefits continue year-round. The Summer Break Café program provides free hot meals to children at community sites (no application needed). Local food banks including Harvest Hope and Lowcountry Food Bank provide free groceries. MUSC’s Kids Eat Free provides free meals in the Charleston area.
How do I find a Summer Break Café site near me?
Dial 211, text “FOOD” to 304-304, or visit ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/health-and-nutrition/special-programs/usda-summer-meal-programs. You can also use the USDA’s meal site finder at fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites.
How do I apply for South Carolina SNAP?
Apply online at benefitsonline.scdss.gov, call 1-800-616-1309, or visit your local DSS county office. See how to apply for SNAP in South Carolina for step-by-step guidance.
For the national Summer EBT overview and participating states, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your South Carolina SNAP eligibility, use the food assistance eligibility tool.