As each family leaves our WIC office, we say giigiwabamin! In the Ojibwe language of tribes in Northern Wisconsin, that means see you soon or see you later. For all of our WIC families, we really do want to see you again.
Often as the kids get older, families don’t return to receive WIC benefits. Some families think that after their babies have started to drink whole milk, they don’t need WIC anymore. Other families think if they pass up WIC benefits, another family who needs the help more could get them. (Don’t worry — there are enough WIC benefits for everyone who needs them.) The WIC Program serves children up to age 5, providing healthy foods as well as offering nutrition tips, recipes and connections to other programs.
Allie’s mom Ashley loves coming to WIC, especially in the summer. “I come into WIC the first day I can to get the Farmers Market checks. I love to get strawberries with my checks. This year I took my girl with me to pick berries at the farm.” In many states, Farmer’s Market benefits are an added WIC bonus that families use during the summer months. It’s a great way to get your kids interested in fruits and vegetables when they can go to the market or the farms to pick their own food.
Another bonus of staying on WIC is the “know-how”of other moms who have “been there.” Talking with other moms who have had the same challenges can help a lot. Dori has 3 children and likes interacting with staff and other families. “Sometimes I talk to the other moms or grandmas and they tell me what they did when their kid wouldn’t give up a bottle or how they started potty training.” WIC offers nutrition education in many different ways, including groups where parents can share their experiences to help others. (Some states even offer online classes for those who have a hard time coming to the WIC office.)
Jamie is the mother of 3 girls who was on WIC during her pregnancies and while breastfeeding her babies. Jamie is still on WIC now with a 1 year old and 3 year old. She likes WIC because “We like to get the foods and when we come in we can see the dentist and the nurse.” Many WIC Programs try to offer other services at the same time as WIC. We know families are very busy!
Kelly and Brian have two little girls who participate in the WIC Program. “When our youngest was born, she had some health problems. She was on formula longer because she had surgery. WIC helped us get that. Now, she is using soy milk and we can get that through WIC.” WIC can help babies and children with special health care needs in many ways. WIC Programs offer soy milk for children who have an allergy or intolerance to regular milk. Soy milk can be more expensive than regular milk so having WIC benefits can help a family stretch their food dollars.
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