Gov. Ned Lamont said on Wednesday that Connecticut will use state reserves to fund its WIC program and help continue its operations during the government shutdown.

The program provides food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to health and social services to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women along with infants and children under 5.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz says it's important to continue the program during this time.

"It reduces food insecurity. It makes sure that moms who are nursing and pregnant have the nutrition that they need and that infants and children from low-income families have the food they need to thrive," she says.

The program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and 52,000 residents receive support, including 30,000 children.

Officials say because of the shutdown, federal funding for the program has mostly stopped and Connecticut will have to pay $200,000 per day to cover costs.

In a statement, Lamont said there is an "anticipation of eventual reimbursement by the federal government."