(DeSoto County, MS) Shelves are still stocked at the Women, Infants and Children, WIC, offices in DeSoto County. The program helps provide food to mothers and their children under the age of five.
“You can get two loaves of bread and a certain amount of veggies, apples and oranges,” said WIC mother Laurie Sullivan.
Even though the offices are closed this weekend, doors will open again Monday despite several days of the federal government being shut down. That’s good news for mom Laurie Sullivan. Her son Hunter is one-years-old and she relies heavily on WIC to feed him.
“Just like you said, he’s a growing boy. He needs the nutrition and everything else,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan is relieved that WIC offices in Mississippi are remaining open through the month.
The government shut down may be freezing programs all across the board, but WIC offices here can stay open because the state’s budget has money left over from last year to keep them open.
Mom LaTanya Wright used WIC years ago when her first daughter was born. She’s happy the state has money set aside to still help families in need.
“Your mind doesn’t have to worry where your next meal is coming from,” said Wright.
But Sullivan fears the relief is short lived. The program only promises to run through the end of October and Sullivan feels how she’ll feed her children is a question left unanswered.
“It means we’re going to have to stretch the dollar even thicker,” said Sullivan.