Texas WIC marks 50th anniversary; officials use holidays to raise awareness of welfare program

Published 5:25 am Wednesday, December 18, 2024

From Staff Reports

A Texas welfare program offering food and breastfeeding supplies to women and families is celebrating its 50th year in the Lone Star State — and its leaders are encouraging people eligible for assistance to apply.

The Texas Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC, provides fruit and vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese and other healthy foods to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and families with children younger than 5. Women also can receive counseling about breastfeeding and nutrition.

The program began in March 1974 in Montgomery County, and since then, 21 million people statewide have received help from it. It serves more than 800,000 women, infants and children monthly, officials said in a news release. The program is federally funded and administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The program aims to promote healthy pregnancies, successful breastfeeding and the raising of healthy families, officials wrote in a news release. It is funded by the federal government and ensures “that families who might otherwise struggle to meet the nutritional needs of their children have the necessary resources to thrive and have peace of mind,” officials said.

Texas WIC leaders are using the holidays as an opportunity to raise awareness of the program and what it offers.

“During the holidays, children and families are home more, and it can be a challenge to have nutritious and healthy meals and snacks at the table,” Amanda Hovis, nutrition education and clinic services director for Texas WIC, said in a news release. “Texas WIC assists families with nutritious food so families can focus on purchasing the other items that they need.”

Women can apply for the program as soon as they know they’re pregnant. Fathers, foster parents, guardians and grandparents with children younger than 5 can apply at any time.

Those who apply for WIC must meet income eligibility guidelines. People who qualify for Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program qualify for the program. Those who don’t qualify for those programs could still qualify for WIC benefits.

To learn more and apply, visit www.texaswic.org/apply or call (800) 942-3678.