The Henry & Stark County Health Department, along with First Choice Healthcare, is reminding residents that WIC services continue as usual. Illinois WIC families can still access their benefits and schedule in-person appointments, with an online application option also available. The new Illinois WIC EBT Card simplifies shopping by placing all benefits on a single card, eliminating the need for multiple checks. WIC provides nutrition education and free groceries to eligible children up to age five, pregnant women, infants, and breastfeeding mothers. Expanded hours aim to better serve working families.
Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services Supervisor with the Health Department, states, “Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “Face to Face” appointments and services delivery. We do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program. We are thrilled to once again have the chance to offer these important and vital family services directly to our participants. In addition, we remind those who may be interested in taking advantage of all that WIC offers, that the New Illinois WIC EBT Card is available to all WIC participants! This makes WIC Services even more easy for area families to use.”
Aldred adds, “All current WIC participants and households are now issued just one Illinois WIC EBT Card with all the food benefits on this one card; no more handling multiple checks for different members of your family. The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on your card every three months after contacting and checking in with our WIC Staff.”
Aldred adds, “We are so excited about this new WIC EBT Card, sometimes referred to as eWIC. Participants now have the ease of taking their shopping list to the store and then buying the food they need when they need them.”
The local Health Department is highlighting its ongoing commitment to families through the WIC Supplemental Food Program and case management services. These initiatives aim to support healthy pregnancies, babies, children, and families, offering nutrition education and access to healthy foods for those meeting specific nutrition and income criteria. Eligible participants can receive milk, infant formula, eggs, cereal, and a variety of fruits, vegetables, juices, whole-grain breads, and tortillas. For details or to apply, residents can call (309) 852-5272 in Kewanee or 792-4011 in Colona, or visit www.henrystarkhealth.com. For further information or to apply, visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic.
