SUN BUCKS--SUMMER EBT PROGRAM INFORMATION

Ohio is participating in a new program this summer called Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT), also known as SUN Bucks. Even though your child’s school provides no cost meals to all students, each child must be approved for free or reduced-price meals this school year to receive Summer EBT. If your household income is less than 185% of the federal poverty level, school aged children in your household may be eligible. 

Participating households will receive a one-time $120 payment for each eligible child on a benefit card you will receive in the mail. You can use the money to buy food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. If you receive more than $120 per eligible child in your household, do not use the benefits. Contact the SEBT Helpline at 1-866-244-0071, option 1 as soon as possible to confirm or correct the error.

If you think your children are eligible, you can apply for Summer EBT using the application at sebt.ohio.gov. Be sure to apply by August 16 to get benefits this summer. If you have questions about the application, contact the Summer EBT Helpline at 1-866-244-0071, option 1.

You will need to provide your child’s name, school, date of birth, along with the names of other people in your household, your household income, and address where you would like the benefit card to be sent. You will not need to provide any documentation to apply but could be asked to verify your information. Receiving Summer EBT will not affect children’s or families’ immigration status.

In addition to Summer EBT, children under 18 years of age in your household can also receive free meals during the summer at a summer meal site. You can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (or text 914-342-7744 with the keyword “summer meals”) to find the location closest to you.

If you have questions, you can contact the Summer EBT Helpline at 1-866-244-0071, option 1.  

Sun Bucks Summer EBT program

Child Nutrition Program State Waiver Request

The East Cleveland City School District has applied for a waiver for the 2024-2025 school year.  The signed waiver application can be found here.

School Meal Program

Through the Community Eligibility Provision, all students in the East Cleveland City School District receive free breakfast and lunch each day of the school year.

East Cleveland City School District has partnered up with The Greater Cleveland Food Bank to offer “Kids Café”. The Kids Café program provides nutritious after-school meals daily at no cost to supplement the enrichment and tutoring activities going on at each building. Meals include entrée, two servings of fruits and vegetables, serving of a grain or bread, and a serving of milk. East Cleveland City Schools is the first district in Cuyahoga County to participate in the hot meal program and each building in the district five days a week, with a bagged sandwich meal on Fridays.

Parents no longer need to submit a Free and Reduced Lunch application for their children to receive meals.

A la carte meal items are available for purchase at the high school and middle schools, including a salad bar at Shaw High School. Students must pay for these items with cash or the pre-paid balance on their school account.