The ongoing government shutdown is creating uncertainty for low-income women and children who rely on WIC 鈥� the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
While WIC is currently being sustained by a $150 million emergency fund, that money is only expected to last a few weeks. If it runs out, states and local jurisdictions may need to step in to keep the program going.
鈥淲ithout the help of WIC, I know that the families are going to need a lot more help,鈥� said Megan Joe, executive director of the hunger relief program at . “And they are already struggling to have enough funds at the state that they’re in.”
The nonprofit serves families across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Baltimore in Maryland, along with D.C. and Virginia. So What Else supports 40,000 families each week with food, diapers, clothing and baby formula, Joe said.
Joe said WIC sometimes refers families directly to them for assistance, underscoring how government programs and nonprofits work hand in hand to meet basic needs.
鈥淚f that funding is cut, it’s going to put a lot more pressure and stress on these families,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he more they worry about providing basic necessities 鈥� the harder it is for them to have the mental strength to keep up.鈥�
Maryland鈥檚 Department of Health said Gov. Wes Moore’s administration is committed to keeping major federal programs such as WIC operational, assuming the state will be reimbursed for eligible expenses. Virginia鈥檚 Department of Health said its WIC program is continuing normal operations for now and is closely monitoring the situation.
D.C.’s Department of Health said in a statement to 海角社区app that the city’s WIC program will “continue to operate as normal” and program participants are encouraged to use their benefits and schedule appointments.
Joe said So What Else hasn鈥檛 yet finalized plans for a potential surge in demand, but internal conversations are underway 鈥� including possibly raising the diaper limit and coordinating with the
鈥淎nybody who comes to our warehouse will be served,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 urge (lawmakers) to go in person to some of these food banks and diaper banks, and really see the impact that those decisions make, because it really is so catastrophic for a lot of these families.”
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