PORTLAND, Ore. — WIC — the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children — could be facing budget cuts, thanks to a disagreement in Congress, leaving many local families and organizations worried.
“It's concerning,” said Jessica Rengo, director of education and client care at Mother and Child in Portland. “I don’t know how we're going to get some of these babies fed."
The Biden administration has requested over $6 billion dollars in funding for the longstanding program that's provided healthy food, formula, resources and support for breastfeeding mothers and their children up to 5 years old for over 50 years.
But Congress has been unable to come to an agreement regarding appropriations bills that would fund WIC — and could force families onto a waitlist by September.
Rengo serves many low-income families in the Portland area and said that over 80% of her clients rely on WIC.
“We show up for anybody who is in care of a child or expecting," Rengo said. "We show up with education, we show up with supplies, we show up with resources."
But Rengo said it's WIC that shows up with resources for mothers who need breastfeeding education, have specific healthcare questions or need fruits and vegetables.
“[WIC has] all these facets of education," Rengo said. "They are the point in which people are able to get other services if they need them."
Rengo leaned on the service herself years ago as a mother to three young children.
"It was a huge support. It didn't provide everything for me, but it provided enough," said Rengo. "It really made the difference."
Oregon served nearly 115,000 women and children in 2023. The USDA oversees the program and says some of these families could be waitlisted if the budget is cut.
“We have priority levels up to priority seven, and I believe the last time we had a funding reduction," explained Kristin Chatfield, a research analyst for Oregon WIC. "We were only able to serve through priority four."
"During that time, we were only able to serve pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, as well as infants and only higher risk post-partum individuals and children," added Ellen Hill, the Outreach and Integration Coordinator for Oregon WIC. "This left out thousands of children and postpartum individuals that didn't have access to the program."
Chatfield said the last time WIC fielded a harsh funding cut was in the late 80s and early 90s.
Advocates across the nation and Rengo are calling on Congress to fully fund the program that they see support mothers and babies every day.
“We have to invest in our families because it directly impacts our future,” Rengo said.
If you'd like to help out Mother and Child, a nonprofit filling the gaps for families in Portland free of charge, you can check out their website or donate in person at their location in the Hollywood District.