TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department says about 600 more people signed up for WIC — the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children — in 2023 than in 2022.
The department had 9,314 average monthly participants in 2023, compared to 8,743 in 2022, according to TLCHD's annual report.
"Once some of the additional benefits that were given to folks after post-pandemic were taken away or removed, that's when we started to see an increase in participation in WIC in Lucas County," said program director Clark Allen. "It was across the state too. It wasn't just our county. The numbers went up."
WIC is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provides nutrition education, support for breastfeeding, and supplemental foods. There are eight sites where people can get help in Lucas County.
"Whoever we can help whenever we can is how we look at that," Allen said. "We don't look at things as good or bad, we just want to help people who need us most, and if more families need our help, then we're right here to help them," said Allen.
WIC can also connect participants to programs like Healthy Start and Cribs for Kids, providing a Pack 'n Play to promote safe sleep.
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