SUNBucks Summer EBT Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is offering SUN Bucks this summer for families with enrolled students who have Free or Reduced lunch status. SUN Bucks is replacing the P-EBT program offered in years past. Instead of families receiving a separate card for each student, funds will be placed on your families existing EBT card (for those currently enrolled in SNAP benefits), OR benefits will be placed on an existing SUN Bucks card, OR families will receive ONE card with $120 deposited for EACH eligible student. (i.e. A family with two eligible students would receive $240 total on their card.)
Letters to all families informing you of your status will be mailed out in mid-late June 2025, and benefits will be issued in mid-July 2025. If you do not receive an email or feel that your status is incorrect, applications will be available in July 2025 through the PA Department of Human Services. The application deadlne is August 31, 2025.
If your child attends Arts Academy Charter Middle School and meets ONE of the following criteria, they have automatically been enrolled in the SUN Bucks program, and no application is necessary.
Attended AACMS in 2024-2025 and qualified for free or reduced-price meals based on:
• DC (SNAP, TANF, or MA with qualifying income), or
• DC by extension within a household unit, or
• Other categorical eligibility (homeless, foster, migrant, runaway, or Head Start), or
• Application for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals
For more information about SUN Bucks, please consult the following resources:
- DHS SUN Bucks website – dhs.pa.gov/sunbucks
- DHS Statewide Customer Service Center: 877-395-8930, or 215-560-7226 in Philadelphia
- SUN Bucks family flyers (found at the bottom of the DHS SUN Bucks website, dhs.pa.gov/sunbucks)
- CAO locator: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/services/assistance/pages/cao-contact.aspx
- Summer EBT Income Eligibility Guidelines: https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/resource/sebt-income-eligibility-guidelines
- Pre-recorded FAQ line for families: 877-762-1575
Summer Meals
AACMS is NOT a site that serves summer meals. To find summer meals in your area, please consult the following resources:
• Call 211
• Call 1.866.3Hungry (1-866-348-6479) or 1.877.8Hambre (1-877-842-6273)
• Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 during the summer months
• Text “SUMMER MEALS” or “VERANO” to 914-342-7744.
• Use the website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
• Use the site locator for smartphones: Rangeapp.org
• Call 211
• Call 1.866.3Hungry (1-866-348-6479) or 1.877.8Hambre (1-877-842-6273)
• Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 during the summer months
• Text “SUMMER MEALS” or “VERANO” to 914-342-7744.
• Use the website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
• Use the site locator for smartphones: Rangeapp.org
School Nutrition Program
AACMS offers our students healthy meals for breakfast and lunch through our School Nutrition Program.
All Meals are free for the 2024–2025 school year.
All Meals are free for the 2024–2025 school year.
Click here to view our online menus,
or visit fdmealplanner.com and search for "AACMS".
or visit fdmealplanner.com and search for "AACMS".
Download the FD Meal Planner App to view our menus on the go!
Visit fdmealplanner.com on you mobile device and click the link for the app.
Visit fdmealplanner.com on you mobile device and click the link for the app.
Breakfast & Lunch Procedures
We are pleased to inform you that Arts Academy Charter School Inc. will be continuing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) in the 2024-2025 school year. This program is available to schools and districts that are participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. All enrolled students of Arts Academy Charter School Inc. are eligible to receive a nutritional breakfast and lunch each school day at no charge to your household.
No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without paying a fee or submitting an application.
If we can be of any further assistance, please contact our Food Services Coordinator, Susan Ott, at sott@arts-cs.org.
No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without paying a fee or submitting an application.
If we can be of any further assistance, please contact our Food Services Coordinator, Susan Ott, at sott@arts-cs.org.
Free and Reduced Meals
Applications are not needed for the 2024-2025 school year. All students can receive a free breakfast and lunch.
Other Important School Nutrition Information
Prohibited Items: Per national school lunch guidelines, AACMS does not permit:
- Fast Food
- Soda
- Energy Drinks
- Outside Food Deliveries (GrubHub, Uber Eats, Door Dash, etc.)
Thank you for your cooperation.
Questions & Resources
If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Food Services Coordinator, Susan Ott, at sott@arts-cs.org.
View our Wellness Policy and Triannual Assessment here: Wellness at AACMS
View our Wellness Policy and Triannual Assessment here: Wellness at AACMS
Civil Rights
View our Civil Rights Complaint Procedure Here
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
ATTENTION: If you speak Spanish, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Contact your child’s school.
ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Comuníquese con la escuela de su niño.
December 13, 2024
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
ATTENTION: If you speak Spanish, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Contact your child’s school.
ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Comuníquese con la escuela de su niño.
December 13, 2024