Thirteen women on the SLO County WIC team standing together smiling.

50 Reasons People in SLO County Love WIC: Celebrating Half a Century of Supporting Women, Infants, and Children

Author: Public Health
Date: 12/24/2024 10:14 AM

WIC participants and Public Health staff share what they love about WIC in honor of the program's 50th anniversary.

For 50 years, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in SLO County and communities nationwide has helped families grow strong through everyday acts of nutrition support. This legacy of care has made nourishing a growing family easier and built lasting connections in our community.

WIC helps low-income pregnant people and parents of young children through one-on-one nutrition education, help with breastfeeding, recipes, monetary food benefits—or “supplemental nutrition assistance”—and connections to other health and social services.

Dating back to the 1970s when the federal program first started with hospitals prescribing “food as medicine” to underweight babies, the WIC program is now one of the most successful public health initiatives of all time. The Public Health Department has seven WIC clinics in SLO County, which together served almost 6,500 individuals in the past year.

A few quick facts about WIC: 

  • Approximately 35% of all infants born in San Luis Obispo County in 2023 participated in WIC in their first year. 

  • The WIC program is recognized for its proven effectiveness through 50 years of extensive research. Research has shown that for every $1 invested in WIC, about $2.48 is saved in medical, educational, and productivity costs. 

  • The value of supplemental foods received per participant each month is estimated to be worth $100 per month.   

  • On average, the SLO County WIC program adds approximately $351,593 monthly or $4.2 million annually into the local economy through electronic benefit transactions for healthy foods that can be redeemed at authorized WIC grocery stores.


Here are 50 more reasons participants and Public Health staff love SLO County WIC:
 

  1. “WIC helped my baby latch & I was able to breastfeed for 3 years! They gave me a pump, helped me with nutrition, info on baby through the years! I love WIC!” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “The staff is so friendly with positive energy that immediately made all my discomfort disappear they are welcoming and informative and seem happy to help. I'm so grateful.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Everyone is always welcoming and make you feel great about coming in.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “El personal de está oficina es realmente amable y contestan todas mis inquietudes.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Everyone in the WIC office is always so welcoming and friendly. It is so nice to walk into a place where you feel comfortable and safe. Mikaela has been so supportive through our journey and more than helpful. She is always going above and beyond to help my baby and I with our breastfeeding challenges. You can tell when someone not only loves their job but KNOWS what they’re talking about! Thank you, Mikaela and WIC staff ❤️” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Hilda and Araceli with WIC are awesome. They're always thorough, patient, respectful, and knowledgeable. Dawn is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST. She's patient, knowledgeable, thorough, listens to your needs, and super super helpful. If she doesn't know the answer she will find the answer for you even to other resources throughout our community. I'm so happy she came back after retirement 😁 because she helps me so much!” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Cameron in Paso was very knowledgeable and helpful! Cameron should get a reward.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Irma was my service provider at WIC. She was very knowledgeable, friendly and personable. She made me feel very comfortable to talk to and open up to.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Noemi is the best! 😊” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “This is a very comfortable place and a safe place for me and my children.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Fueron muy respetuosos, todas mis preguntas me las contestaron con claridad.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “I always love getting new info and getting help when needed. They did amazing & helped me and my baby.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “I am grateful for the services provided by my WIC office.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “I found the breastfeeding class provided by WIC really educational and helpful as a first-time mom.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “I really enjoyed coming in and being helped with applying to WIC. It was very informative and the person that helped me was so nice and supportive.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Lactation services were especially helpful. Thank you.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Súper amable me atendieron muy bien.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “I love Aracelli, who has been my WIC rep for years. She is amazing.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Mikaela, the lactation consultant, was amazing. She made me feel comfortable as she helped me with making sure I was breastfeeding correctly and was super knowledgeable.  I'm very thankful for her and for WIC in general.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Very much improvement when I was provided a nipple shield, life changing. I very much thank to Dawn.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Staff is always so nice and friendly. I can call them when I need help or advice when it comes to my baby. WIC has been able to help me and my family.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “The WIC staff is wonderful. So pleasant and so helpful! Always available and goes above and beyond to provide more than enough useful information!” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “The women working made me feel so comfortable and helped me learn WIC. They not only helped me with my 11-month-old so I can get signed up but allowed me to breastfeed when he got hungry. I loved my experience with these ladies.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “El personal fue atento amable y respetuoso me ayudaron en todo estoy contenta con el personal de la oficina de WIC en Grover Beach.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “They are so sweet and helpful would recommend to everyone to use WIC!” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Para mi me gusto como me atendieron.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Everyone is always so kind.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Very sweet, patient and helpful. Responded to all of my questions, followed up even after my appointment via text and made sure that I had been helped in the best way. Extremely professional.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “At WIC everyone is always professional and very helpful. They always provide information I didn’t know and clarify questions I had.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Todo excelente gracias por el servicio.” 
    -Anonymous WIC client 

  1. “Hi! What I like best about the WIC. program is helping the mommies and their newborn infants with their breast-feeding journey. Especially the first-time mothers. WIC gives the opportunity to provide breast feeding classes and prepare our mommies before the newborn arrives.  I love working for the WIC program.”  
    -Gladys "Noemi" Martinez, Public Health Aid III, WIC Program 

  1. “It’s a wonderful place to work! I love to help the families!”  
    -Anonymous WIC employee 

  1. “Our dedicated WIC Team supports so many families in San Luis Obispo County, helping them build their village by providing education and guidance from the prenatal stage up to a child's 5th birthday.  Our incredible staff make accessing WIC services easy and seamless, meeting families where they are and offering compassionate support tailored to their needs. From nutrition and breastfeeding education to parenting resources and community referrals, our team empowers families on their journey.  Passionate, professional, welcoming and highly knowledgeable, the WIC team ensures families have the tools and support they need for a healthy start and a strong foundation.”  
    -Shannon Massey, WIC Program Manager 

  1. “WIC is like a warm hug for growing families at a time when that support – both in terms of nutritious food for new babies and wise, caring counsel for parents – means the most. More than a third of the new babies in our county benefit from the healthful food and the love this program provides. WIC employees truly love serving families, so much that many have been working in the program for decades and even come back after retirement. In addition to this immeasurable human impact: WIC is a strong and reliable support for local farmers and a powerful boost to our local economy.”  
    -Jen Miller, Health Promotion Division Manager 

  1. “WIC is such a wonderful program as it provides many opportunities to get little ones off to a healthy start: good nutrition and many other benefits of breastfeeding, such as protection against diseases, boosts to immunity, fewer cavities, emotional bonding, and lower cost.”  
    -Dr. Penny Borenstein, Health Officer / Public Health Director 

  1. “Celebrating 50 years of WIC is a testament to its profound impact on families and communities. For half a century, WIC has been more than a nutrition program—it’s been a lifeline, ensuring children thrive and mothers succeed. This milestone honors the program’s legacy of building healthier futures and reminds us of the critical role it plays in shaping a stronger, more equitable tomorrow.”  
    -Nick Drews, Director, County of San Luis Obispo Health Agency 

  1. “I feel so fortunate to work alongside WIC in the Health Promotion Division. They are nothing short of amazing! Professionally, I have seen firsthand that they always ensure their clients are connected to the resources they need. Personally, I have experienced the same loving care--as I returned back to work from maternity leave, many of the WIC staff took time out of their busy schedules to help make sure my breastfeeding journey was successful and that I had a welcoming space to pump at work. They would check on me and give me tips; this little extra care made me feel so supported during a time that can be so challenging for new moms.”  
    -Jenelle Merzon, Health Education Specialist II, Tobacco Control Program 

  1. "Our WIC staff are our unsung heroes. For years, they have provided a critical lifeline for so many of our SLO County families at the very beginning of their parenting journey - with impacts that have spanned decades and touched every part of our county. We are so grateful for their continuing dedication, expertise, and unwavering support for the families and children who call SLO County home. Happy 50th!"  
    -Claire Hermann, MPP, Community Health Improvement Manager 

  1. “Thank you, WIC Team!!! 50 Years!!! The Flowers of all the Tomorrows are in the Seeds of Today.”  
    -Brandi, Public Health Nurse  

  1. “WIC has been a WONDERFUL resource for our patients, we refer all of our pregnant ladies to WIC. They appreciate the friendly and attentive staff, also the Lactation consultations are very helpful for our new moms. We love WIC."   
    -April, Reproductive Health Nurse Practitioner  

  1. WIC helps young families take care of basic needs, and many people don't realize there is an educational component too.  
    -Haleigh Hayes, BSN, RN, PHN, Children’s Medical Services 

  1. “Me encanto el equipo y que tengo la oportunidad para trabajar con personas tan amables y cariñosas.” - Olivia, Administrative Services Officer 

  1. “We are so lucky to have the WIC team at Grover Beach, they are amazing advocates and we love to collaborate with them! I love that we can put our heads together when needed to care for mom and baby, and lean on each other to give our best for our clients. Happy 50th Anniversary to the wonderful providers of WIC!”  
    -Public Health Nurse  

  1. “WIC has been an amazing resource and every staff member I have encountered has been so helpful and informative. Thank you, WIC!”  
    -Public Health Nurse 

  1. “Great to have them for assistance with our families!!”  
    -Public Health Nurse 

  1. “The Paso crew and clients are the BEST!”  
    -Anonymous 

  1. “Great program with great people.”  
    -Anonymous 

  1. “Getting help with all they provide.”  
    -Anonymous 

  1. “The warmth of the staff.”  
    -Anonymous 

  1. “WIC’s caring staff!!”  
    -Anonymous 

 

Want to add your words? 

We invite you to join us in celebrating WIC! You can send your own words about WIC to add here by sending us a message at our Contact Us page. Thank you!