Indiana SUN bucks

A federal food program intended to help feed kids through the summer won’t come back anytime soon. State Democrats wonder why the state won’t pay for the program as budget reserves grow.

Indiana officials say the state can’t afford the additional costs to run SUN Bucks, the federal summer food program.

The deadline for states to decide whether to participate in SUNBucks — a federal program that helps provide funds during the summer — is approaching, after Indiana opted out of the program last year.

Indiana will not offer SUN Bucks food benefits this summer, a move advocates say will hurt working families and increase child hunger.

Called Indiana SUN bucks, eligible families will receive a one-time payment of $120 per school-aged child. It’s to be used to buy extra groceries that often come with summer vacation.