The Henry & Stark County Health Department Notes March-National Nutrition Month & Reminds Residents of the WIC Supplemental Food Program

RaeAnn Tucker
Director of Health Promotion
Date: March 1, 2024       

The Henry and Stark County Health Department WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Food Supplemental program staff note that March has been designated National Nutrition Month.  Therefore, it’s a great time to remind local residents that the WIC program promotes the health of our 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, states, “Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “Face to Face” appointments and services delivery.  We do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program.  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!  This makes WIC Services even more easy for area families to use.” 

     Aldred adds, “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.” 

     Please note, the Health Department WIC staff have expanded WIC hours in order to be more convenient to working families and school children participating in the program. WIC benefits area available to eligible children up to the age of 5, pregnant women, infants, postpartum and breastfeeding women. 

     Aldred adds, “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 food 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 on the Department's WIC and Casemanagement services call the Department at (309) 852-5272 (Kewanee) or 792-4011(Colona) or visit our website to apply at https://www.henrystarkhealth.com/FormCenter/WIC-10/WIC-Application-Form-65

For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic.  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.