Fighting childhood hunger: Hawaii's SUN Bucks application opens
For its second straight year, the Department of Human Services and the Hawaii Department of Education are banding together to feed more than 100,000 school-aged keiki statewide.
Two Punahou teens turn snack mix into a mission to help others
'Access to nutritious meals shouldn't end when school lets out. For many families, summer can be a challenging time to ensure their children eat well,' said First Lady Jaime Kanani Green.
Officials said households will receive $177 for each qualifying child.
Keiki are automatically eligible if their household participated in SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs from July 1, 2024 to Aug. 3.
Foster, homeless, runaway or migrant keiki are also automatically eligible.Households that did not apply or were not approved for free, reduced-price school meals or fall at or below the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines must complete a SUN Bucks application.
DHS said those who applied and were determined eligible during the Summer 2024 period do not need to submit a new application.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
The application period will be open from now through Aug. 3. To begin yours or for more information, visit DHS's website or call the SUN Bucks Customer Service line at (888) 975-7328.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Snapshot of food insecurity in Illinois and the U.S.
Before July 4, food insecurity was already a growing issue across the United States. Here are some of the reasons why: The legislation expanded work requirements for SNAP recipients in the following categories who were previously exempt: If SNAP recipients in those categories don't find 80 hours of work per month, they will lose their benefits. Nearly 2 million Illinoisans were using SNAP benefits in 2024 — 15.7% of the state for the seventh-highest percentage in the nation, the Illinois Policy Institute reported. SNAP recipients are not the only ones in need of food assistance, though. Mike Havala, president and CEO of the Naperville-based nonprofit Loaves & Fishes Community Services, explained the 'SNAP gap' at a roundtable event in Geneva earlier this month. Here's the idea: Many people in the 'SNAP gap' and on SNAP benefits depend on food pantries to supplement the limited food they can afford. Because of the 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' even more people will need help from nonprofit food banks and pantries.
Newsweek
13-07-2025
- Newsweek
Map Shows States With the Most, Least High School Graduates
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. West Virginia has the highest rate of graduation among public high school students, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). With score of higher than 90 percent, the state led the way on public high school graduation, with Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts close behind. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Education via email for comment. Why It Matters High school graduation rates in the country have been on the rise based on NCES data. Between 2011 to 2012, the average adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high school students was 80 percent, but in 2021 to 2022, that number was 87 percent. While the data shows a rise in graduation rates as a whole, the increase has not been completely steady, with the coronavirus pandemic knocking the average ACGR down slightly. Following the passage of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" earlier this month, education experts have voiced concern over what ramifications the wide-reaching legislation could have on children and schools. Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts could impact school budgets, experts warn, while the continued mass deportation of immigrants may strain schools as they try to support students whose family members have been detained. What To Know The NCES calculated the graduation rates in each state based on an ACGR—the percentage of public school students who graduate within four years of starting ninth grade with a regular diploma. For students with "the most significant cognitive disabilities," the score was measured by those with a state-defined alternate high school diploma. There was no available information for New Mexico or Oklahoma. While there were also other states that had ACGRs of 90, including Texas and Missouri, these states still fell into the category of ACGRs between 80 to less than 90 percent—suggesting these numbers may have been rounded up. States with the lowest ACGR include Arizona (77 percent), Alaska (78 percent), and Idaho (80 percent). Puerto Rico had the lowest ACGR across the board at 74 percent. Why the ACGR varies widely between states is multi-factorial. One reason is that states "have their own graduation requirements," Christopher Lubienski, director of the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at Indiana University and elected member of the National Academy of Education, told Newsweek. For example, up until this school year, students in Massachusetts had to pass state-administered tests in English, mathematics, and a science in order to graduate, Richard Murnane, a professor of education and society at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, told Newsweek. "This is no longer the case, so Massachusetts graduation rates will be higher this year." Graduation rates may also vary due to the differences in numbers of private schools in states. "In some states with fewer private schools, most students go to public schools, so the ACGR there is more of a reflection of the total school population," Lubienski said. "But in other states where many students go to independent schools, it could be that the students most likely to complete school enroll in those non-public options, leaving public schools with more students who are less likely to complete school." These factors make it difficult to make accurate conclusions on what the ACGR says about education in each state, Lubienski told Newsweek. Broadly, factors that cause variation in education outcomes in states include "family incomes," Murnane said, pointing to Massachusetts as "a quite wealthy state." He also said that high school graduation rates depend on the percentage of students who are immigrants. "Many immigrants come with low English skills and have trouble doing high-school-level work. Others move back to their original countries before they graduate," Murnane said. He added that "when and where the economy is very strong, drop out rates tend to be higher because students leave school to take jobs." What People Are Saying Christopher Lubienski, director of the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy at Indiana University and elected member of the National Academy of Education, told Newsweek: "A more useful number would be looking at this issue over time. Assuming that a given state has maintained its same graduation requirement, changes over time would give us some indication as to whether schools are performing better or worse." He added: "Students are more likely to successfully complete school if they attend a well-resourced school, and have suitable family, community and school support systems in place." Richard Murnane, a professor of education and society at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, told Newsweek: "States differ in how well they track high school graduation rates. The data comes from individual high schools. High schools have incentives to state that students who leave prior to graduation have 'transferred' to another school rather than state they have 'dropped out.' Some states check on the accuracy of the reports from individual schools much more carefully than other states do." Mavis Sanders, a senior research scholar of Black Children and Families at Child Trends, nonprofit, non-partisan research organization, told Newsweek: "Graduation rates are complex outcomes shaped by a variety of factors, including the availability of jobs and career opportunities for individuals without high school diplomas, graduation requirements which differ by state, as well as specific supports and pathways to graduation—such as those implemented in states like Tennessee." She added: "Graduation rates also vary significantly across student groups and are influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and English language proficiency. As such, graduation rates reflect broader issues of educational access and opportunity."
Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Need help paying rent, electricity or buying food in South Florida?
Many families in South Florida are struggling financially. If you're having trouble paying rent, keeping the lights on, or putting food on the table, several federal, state and local programs offer assistance. Here's how to access them. If you're struggling, you're not alone—these resources can provide real relief when you need it most: Rental assistance Miami-Dade PHCD Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Phone: 305-723-1815. Apply here Broward County The main rental program has ended, but emergency funds are still available through nonprofit partners. More info here Palm Beach County Offers temporary assistance for rent and utility payments. Official site Also available: Miami-Dade's rental waitlist is open offers up to $500 to help seniors pay rent. Utility assistance LIHEAP – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Provides direct payments to power companies like to $1,300 per year per is given to households with seniors, children, or people with through your local county or community center. Where to apply: Miami-Dade: Apply hereBroward: More infoPalm Beach: More info Food assistance SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) Monthly benefits on an EBT card for use at supermarkets, farmers markets, and even via the DCF MyACCESS portal: Apply here TEFAP – Free Food Distribution The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides free fresh and canned foods through Feeding South Florida and other food one near you Cash assistance Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Monthly cash support for pregnant people or those with be used for rent, food, and basic through be used alongside SNAP and Medicaid. Not sure where to start? Call 211 Dial 211, available 24/7 in English and Spanish, across all South Florida be connected to local services for housing, food, employment, mental health, and can also visit: Documents needed to apply Valid IDProof of income or unemploymentRecent utility or rent billsProof of residency (lease or utility bill) Note that help is available, but programs vary by county and may only run while funds last.
