County Mayors Tell Gov. Lee to Feed Kids
Local officials call for a return of Sun Bucks in summer 2026
33 County Mayors are calling on Gov. Bill Lee to participate in the federal Sun Bucks program in 2026.
The local leaders penned a letter to Lee asking him not to forego the summer program that provides additional EBT funds for families during the summer. The program is designed to provide additional assistance during a time when kids are unable to get free or reduced-cost meals at school.
Lee refused the summer food assistance program last year.
Lee refused the federal help and created a Tennessee version of the plan. The cost to the state was essentially the same - but, crucially, only 25,000 children were served this summer.
That’s down from 700,000 in prior Sun Bucks years.
Lee chose to increase food insecurity for 675,000 Tennessee kids so he could prove a point to the federal government.
Lee joined several other GOP governors in refusing the enhanced SNAP benefit in 2025. The Sun Bucks program provides an extra $120 of SNAP benefits in the summer to make up for the meals that would otherwise be provided at school.
Lee rejected $75 million in federal funds that would have supported a program to add funds to EBT cards for families whose kids receive free/reduced lunch during the school year.
Instead, Lee will create a program that will serve only 15 of Tennessee’s 95 counties and leave out 675,000 kids. The state financial obligation is nearly identical in both programs.
Will Lee listen to local leaders asking him to help feed kids next summer?