Camden County Commissioner Virginia Betteridge joined local families and health professionals on Aug. 14 at the Gateway WIC Program in Camden to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) during World Breastfeeding Month.
The event highlighted the vital role WIC has played in supporting the health and well-being of mothers and children in the county and beyond.
“Ensuring that women can provide the essential nutritional and developmental tools for their children is crucial,” Betteridge noted during the celebration. “WIC has made an immeasurable impact on countless families here in Camden County and beyond, and I am honored to celebrate this momentous anniversary.”
The event at the Gateway WIC Program’s Camden office on Mount Ephraim Avenue featured a range of activities and services designed to support and educate families. Mothers in attendance received on-the-spot health screenings, breastfeeding information and pump demonstrations, while children and families participated in games and other activities.
Founded in 1972, WIC has been a cornerstone of maternal and child health for five decades. By 1974, it was operating in 45 states.
The federal program provides benefits for nutritious foods and baby formula, along with education on proper nutrition, health screenings and referrals for additional services. It has helped reduce the number of low-birthweight babies, fetal and infant deaths and the incidence of low-iron anemia, and has increased access to prenatal care, according to the WIC website.
Attendees at the anniversay celebration expressed appreciation for the resources and support provided by WIC and also emphasized the importance of breastfeeding as a critical component of early-childhood development. The event aligned with the global observance of World Breastfeeding Month.
