If it's passed in its current state, Trump's preliminary budget proposal for 2018 could have a major effect on mothers. Trump's proposed budget cuts could cut funding to your child's favorite PBS shows (goodbye, Arthur), reduce affordable housing programs that families rely on, and cut programs that low-income mothers need to raise their children. One of these programs at risk of losing a chunk of its funding is the Women, Infants, and Children program, which will take a $200 million budget cut under Trump's proposal. So, in light of these proposed cuts, can people donate to WIC?
Federal funding to WIC helps states "meet the nutritional and health needs of low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children," according to Vox. While Trump's budget does not (thankfully) cut WIC altogether, this $200 million cut could make a huge difference to the state level programs, which helps millions of women receive vouchers for nutritional fulfillment for themselves and their children. According to The Guardian, these cuts could affect the capacity to which the program works, should more families enroll in the program (in a recent statement, the organization that advocates for WIC reiterated that if levels of enrollment stayed steady or dropped, it wouldn't be a concern) — in other words, there would be less funding to provide the best nutritional opportunities for low-income families across the nation, if that number expands. And no one wants to see a mother and her child suffer, especially from a lack of access to nutritional-rich foods.
While WIC receives almost all of its funding through federal grants, surely there must be some people who would love to donate money to the program to help it keep going in their area. But is that possible?
Unfortunately, there is no way to directly donate to WIC — but in the meantime, there are other methods citizens can employ to lend a hand.
Those looking to actively support the National WIC Association, which advocates for the WIC program and provides training to its employees (but does not fund it in any way), can become members or purchase merchandise to support the group's mission. Some states, such as California, have their own associations to advocate on behalf of WIC on a more local level, many of which also accept donations.
If you want to go straight to the source and see how you can help WIC parents directly, it's probably best to contact the WIC nutrition and breastfeeding coordinators in your own state's WIC office first or contact your local WIC office to find out what those parents might need most, outside of traditional WIC services and assistance.
WIC is incredibly helpful to low income mothers and the health of their children — from infancy through their early childhood years. Any proposed budget cuts should not prevent parents from getting the help they deserve, to the fullest extent possible.
