The Henry and Stark County Health Department WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Food Supplemental program returns Thursday, Aug. 10, to only in-person “face to face” appointments and services delivery.
They do, however still offer an online application feature to the program.
The WIC program promotes the health of local children and mothers, by providing free groceries to participants; and creating healthier families by encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles.
Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services Supervisor with the Health Department, said, “We are thrilled to once again have the chance to offer these important and vital family services directly to our participants.
“In addition, we remind those who may be interested in taking advantage of all that WIC offers, that the New Illinois WIC EBT card is available to all WIC participants,” Aldred said. “This makes WIC services even more easy for area families to use.”
She added, “All current WIC participants and households are now issued just one Illinois WIC EBT card with all the food benefits on this one card; no more handling multiple checks for different members of your family. The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on your card every three months after contacting and checking in with our WIC staff.”
The health department WIC staff have expanded WIC hours to be more convenient to working families and school children participating in the program. WIC benefits area available to eligible children up to age 5, pregnant women, infants and postpartum and breastfeeding women.
Aldred added, “We are so excited about this new WIC EBT card, sometimes referred to as eWIC. Participants now have the ease of taking their shopping list to the store and then buying the foods they need when they need them.”
The health department WIC and casemanagement staff promotes healthy pregnancies, babies, children and families through their services. The WIC Supplemental Food Program offers supplemental foods and nutrition education to residents who meet certain nutrition and economic guidelines.
In addition, clients may receive healthy food items such as milk, formula, eggs, and cereal; fruits, vegetables, juices, whole grain breads and tortillas.
For more information, call the health department at (309) 852-5272 (Kewanee) or 792-4011(Colona); or to apply, visit https://www.henrystarkhealth.com/FormCenter/WIC-10/WIC-Application-Form-65
More information is also available at www.fns.usda.gov/wic.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
