If you are on a food assistance program and you have kids to feed, a new program through the state and the United States Department of Agriculture is lending a hand.

On Thursday, Wisconsin became the first state in the country to be approved for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program that will give low-income families an extra $120 per child during the summer months to feed them. Families that participate in other food assistance programs like free and reduced lunch will automatically be enrolled in the program with the benefits being added to their existing card or via a pre-loaded debit card. Families eligible for food assistance but are not participating in the programs would have to apply.

“Making sure our kids have enough to eat is critical for supporting their success in and out of the classroom. Unfortunately, when school is out, many families lose access to one of their most reliable sources of healthy meals,” said Governor Tony Evers.  United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle says it is not just great news for the area’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population.  She hopes families bring those benefits to some of the Door County farmers’ markets this summer, where they can redeem those credits to spend with local vendors.

Benefit recipients can expect to receive those funds in June. Participation in the program will not affect those participating in other summer food programs, such as the one run by the Door County YMCA.