News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Wednesday, Zane Kipfmiller is seen stocking grapes at Kipfmiller Produce and Nursery in Alpena. Kipfmiller said that they accept regular EBT year-round, but do not have the terminal to accept SUN Bucks at this time. To find local retailers that accept SNAP, EBT, and SUN Bucks, visit usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator.

ALPENA — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced on May 27 that the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, SUN Bucks, will continue this summer following approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

According to an MDHHS press release, the state health department and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will partner together to provide the Summer EBT program to Michigan families.

MDHHS states that individuals eligible for the Summer EBT program include children, 6 to 18 years old, who are recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid benefits between July 1, 2024, and Aug. 31, 2025. According to the press release, Medicaid recipients’ income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

Additionally, qualifications include students of any age who are eligible to receive free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, and/or are approved through the summer EBT application process.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared her approval in the press release, citing the Summer EBT program as necessary to combat hunger among Michigan residents.

“Summer is here, but hunger isn’t going anywhere,” Whitmer said in the press release. “I’m proud that we’re continuing our successful Summer EBT program so no child goes hungry between school years.”

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, agreed with Whitmer and stated in the press release the Summer EBT program helps bridge gaps in food insecurity.

“Summer break is a time when many children lose access to the reliable meals they receive at school, placing them at risk of hunger and malnutrition,” Hertel said in the press release. “The Summer EBT Program, in addition to our other nutrition assistance programs, like WIC and SNAP, helps us close the summer hunger gap by providing every eligible child with nutritious food, addressing one of the key social determinants of health, food insecurity.”

According to the MDHHS press release, Summer EBT benefits will come in the form of EBT cards that can be used to buy groceries. Eligible families who already have a Bridge card will receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child. For those who do not already have a card will be sent a preloaded card in the mail.

Overall, MDHHS explains that the $120 payments equals to $40 per month for June, July, and August 2025. This money can be used to buy food items that include (among others) fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products at retailers that accept EBT as a form of payment.

POVERTY STATISTICS OF ALPENA COUNTY

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 11.5% of families in Alpena County are below 150% of the poverty level while 28.3% of individuals in Alpena County are considered living below 150% of the poverty level. DHHS considers a family of four earning $32,150 in a calendar year as meeting the poverty guideline. DHHS uses poverty guidelines as simplified determinations of poverty compared to poverty thresholds.

The DHHS defines a “family” as two or more people who live together and are related by birth, marriage or adoption.

In Alpena County, DHHS reports 19% of the population is under the age of 18.

The median family income is $68,385 and the median household income is $51,909.

The DHHS defines “household income” as the sum of money received in a calendar year by all household members 15 years old and over (includes members not related to householder, people living alone, or other nonfamily household members).

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.