UPDATE: As the government shutdown enters its 21st day, funding for the crucial Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program hangs in the balance, threatening the support for over 150,000 Arizona families. Local officials are urgently working to secure funding to prevent a disruption that could leave many vulnerable families without essential resources.
Families across Arizona are scrambling for assistance as the shutdown jeopardizes the WIC program, which helps provide nutrition and support to mothers and young children. A mother from Tucson, Julie Munger, shared her concerns, stating, “If we don’t have WIC, we have to pay out of our pockets for our formula.” She emphasized the tough decisions families face: “Do we feed our son or do we put a roof over his head?” Munger’s 5-month-old son, James, requires a special formula that is both hard to find and costly.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), there are currently over 4,000 babies relying on WIC for vital nutrition. With the program funded only through November 10, 2023, local leaders are racing against the clock to find solutions. Celia Nabor, Assistant Director for Prevention Services at AZDHS, confirmed that while they have received three federal allocations since October 1 from the USDA, these funds will only sustain operations until mid-November.
In response to this urgent situation, the Pima County Board of Supervisors is set to meet on November 4, 2023. County Administrator Jan Lesher has urged the board to transfer nearly $500,000 in county funds to ensure that WIC services remain uninterrupted and that families like Munger’s can continue to receive support.
The potential lapse in funding could have dire consequences for families who depend on WIC for food security and childcare. Officials are making every effort to secure additional resources to keep the program afloat, emphasizing the immediate need for action to protect vulnerable families during this critical time.
As the situation develops, authorities encourage families in need of childcare and food support to reach out to WIC services for assistance. Community members are urged to stay informed and support local initiatives aimed at securing necessary funding for this essential program.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent issue as local leaders push for solutions to ensure that WIC can continue to support Arizona families in need.
