WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A program that works to alleviate food insecurity effecting Washington youth will begin this summer.

The Summer EBT program provides a pre-loaded card to families in Washington that qualify for reduced-price or free school meals. Each card has about $120 in “SUN Bucks” on them per child for purchasing groceries during the summer.

The SUN Bucks expire roughly four months after receiving the card regardless of if they are used.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray championed the program on a national level after she introduced a similar program in 2014. This summer is the first time a program like Summer EBT will be in effect, and Murray says at least half a million Washington children will benefit from the program.

Families already signed up for SNAP, TANF and FDPIR are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks.

More information about the program is available on the USDA website.