John,

Back in November, Congress passed a stop-gap spending bill to continue funding some government programs through January 19, 2024, but there’s a huge omission: they did not include additional aid to fully fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)―a nutrition program that is targeted to the critical life stages of pregnancy and postpartum and birth through the age of 5.

Between January and March of 2023, participation in WIC already exceeded USDA projections for all of FY2024. This means that Congress needs to increase WIC funding, to keep pace with the need.

Historically, there has been a long-standing bipartisan commitment that no eligible applicant is turned away. A lack of increased funding will result in 600,000 eligible people being put on waiting lists.¹

But it could get far worse. If Congress lets automatic across-the-board funding cuts kick in, a dramatic cut in WIC could lead to 2.7 million women, babies, and young children denied vital nutrition help each month.²

We cannot allow pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants, babies, and children to go without healthy food. SIGN THE PETITION to demand Congress take action immediately when they return from the holiday break and increase funding for WIC.

For more than 25 years, Congress has provided enough money so no eligible pregnant or postpartum parent and no infant or toddler would be turned away.

Early access to healthy and nutritious food is critical for both fetal and child development. Access to WIC is associated with healthier birth rates, lower risk of infant death, and improved child cognitive function and overall health. Postpartum mothers, infants, and children shouldn’t have to go hungry in the richest country in the world.

Sign the petition: Demand Congress fully fund WIC and prevent automatic cuts from slashing this vital program for parents and children.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ 600,000 Young Children and New Parents Could Be Turned Away Unless Congress Adheres to a 25-Year Bipartisan Commitment to Fully Fund WIC br>² Implications of a Date-Change, Full-Year CR