From Fortune:

In Norwich, NY, food insecurity is a growing issue, with hundreds of families joining food distribution lines. Research shows that hunger is on the rise, with the number of kids living in food-insecure households increasing by nearly half. WIC, an essential feeding program, needs full funding to continue to support low-income families. Substantial healthcare savings are associated with the program.

Lawmakers are called upon to ensure full funding of WIC this year. Critics say that policies are needed given the surge in people needing the program. It is estimated that children on the program will rise from 6.7 to 7 million in 2024. Fully funding WIC would cost $7.5 billion in fiscal year 2024, but lawmakers have yet to come close to that figure, even floating the idea of cutting fruit and vegetable benefits.

The National WIC Association is appealing to lawmakers to fully fund the program. Meanwhile, concerned citizens are encouraged to reach out directly to elected officials via the association’s website. WIC provides life-saving benefits to 7 million children in the US, and needs to be fully funded to continue its essential work.



Read more: Jennifer Garner-Hamdi Ulukaya: ‘1 in 5 American kids may go to bed hungry tonight–and unprecedented attacks on the 50-year-old bipartisan WIC program could make the situation even worse’