Families across Illinois will be able to tap a new federal program to keep kids fed during the summer.

The state is among the first in the nation to participate in the summer EBT program or “Sun Bucks”. It provides an extra $120 per child for eligible families – the goal - to fill the gap of feeding kids who are otherwise able to get a meal or two at school. Republican State Senator Sue Rezin says the program is the right way to get food to kids.

The program could reach more than 1 million children and officials say it could reduce child hunger by 30%.