- In Knox County, as many as 12,297 people are enrolled in WIC, according to the Knox County Health Department.
- In addition to other services, WIC covers some groceries and essentials for young children, including formula and baby food.
- WIC funding could run out Nov. 1.
Without emergency dollars, WIC could lose funding as soon as Nov. 1. If it does, these local resources will be critical in picking up the slack for infants and mothers in need of food assistance.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children − or WIC − provides free supplemental groceries, breastfeeding support and nutrition education for pregnant or recently pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants and children younger than 5 and caregivers of children younger than 5 who fall under a certain household income level.
Groceries covered by WIC include essentials for young children such as formula and baby food.
In Knox County, as many as 12,297 people are enrolled in WIC, according to the Knox County Health Department.
WIC’s funding could run out Nov. 1
National WIC Association President and CEO Georgia Machell said in a Sept. 30 statement that WIC had enough funding to stay open for an estimated one to two weeks amid the shutdown.
Two weeks ago, state WIC programs received temporary emergency funding to sustain the benefit through Oct. 31, according to an Oct. 21 statement from the National WIC Association. Some states could exhaust that funding by November, and the National WIC Association is asking the Trump administration for $300 million more in emergency funds to keep WIC benefits available through the first two weeks of November.
“Without additional funding, State WIC Agencies may be forced to take drastic measures that prevent families from accessing the services they need, such as halting food benefits,” National WIC Association president and CEO Georgia Machell said in the statement. “This would directly jeopardize the health and nutrition of millions of mothers, babies, and young children.”
As of Oct. 24, “Tennessee WIC is continuing to operate as normal and there is no other information to provide,” Bill Christian, associate director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Communication and Media Relations, told Knox News in an email.
How much does formula cost without WIC?
A small, 12.4 ounce size of Similac Advance powder baby formula, the standard contract infant formula for Tennessee WIC, costs between $19.97 and $23.79.
What other resources are available if WIC runs out?
- Helping Mamas is a nonprofit that connects East Tennessee families with baby supplies, including formula. Executive Director Tess Frear told Knox News Oct. 6 her organization is constantly ready to pivot. The staff is keeping an eye on the evolving situation and is prepared to respond if WIC does run out of funds. To receive resources from Helping Mamas, fill out the referral form on its website.
- Healthy Families East Tennessee is a free, voluntary home visiting program that offers families that are pregnant or recently had a baby support and resources, such as parenting curriculum, developmental activities, resource linkage and support services, which includes connecting families with baby items and other grocery needs in emergency situations. Typically enrollment starts before a child is born or soon after, with services continuing until a child turns 5 or begins kindergarten. Referrals can be made at 865-329-5808, or inquiries can be made online at mcnabbcenter.org/healthy-families-request.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee works to increase food security across 18 counties in the region, including Knox County. While Second Harvest does not provide formula or baby food, the nonprofit and its partner agencies can provide other groceries typically covered by WIC. Its website features “Find a Food Pantry,” a tool that helps show Second Harvest’s partner organizations near you that provide food assistance.
Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email: [email protected]. Instagram: @knoxstoryteller.
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