Last month, WIC partnered with the California WIC Association (CWA) to host a press conference aimed at saving WIC funding from drastic budget cuts in Congress. The press conference was part of a series of events held around the state over the last month. The suggested cuts could deprive 111,300 women, infants and children of benefits as a result of reduced funding to 84 local agencies across the state during the 2012 fiscal year.

Experts around Fresno County, including WIC Program Director Linda Shelton, gathered at WIC's First Street Office to urge Congress to extend WIC funding. Laurie True, CWA Executive Director, stated that the cuts from the "Super Committee" would devastate WIC's ability to prevent hunger and obesity. The cuts would affect 49,000 participants in Fresno County alone.

In response, CWA has assembled a statewide grassroots campaign to save funding. The We Need WIC Campaign showcases the value of the WIC program directly through the eyes of the participant. Across the state, WIC participants and supporters are writing personal messages describing how WIC helps themselves and their families on paper plates and videotaping messages of how WIC cuts would directly affect them. The paper plates will be delivered to Washington in December and the videos are available for viewing on YouTube.

To see more coverage on the press conference from KSEE 24, click here!