January 31, 2007

First Books Organization Provides Free Books to WIC Participants

Children at the Nassau County Department of Health Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program are enjoying new books which they can take home through a grant from First Books. First Books, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books, will continue to provide an ongoing supply of new books in both English and Spanish to children participating in the WIC program.

Seen here standing, left to right from First Books: Shawn Vogle, Kathy Levandoski and Eleanor Poppe. Seated are Dr. David Ackman, Commissioner of Health with WIC participants.

The WIC Program is a federally-funded supplemental nutrition and education program that provides vouchers for foods and infant formula to women, infants and children who qualify under the federal nutritional and financial need guidelines. Nassau WIC currently provides services to over 12,000 participants monthly at six WIC sites, located in community-based agencies, hospitals and health centers throughout the County. They include Elmont, Westbury, Freeport, Hempstead, Glen Cove and Nassau University Medical Center.

Families with incomes up to 185% of poverty level are eligible to receive WIC benefits. For example, a pregnant woman, her husband and their one child is considered a family of four and is eligible for WIC if their gross weekly income is below $ 712.00.

Despite its proven benefits, only half the eligible families actually apply for WIC. For more information, click here or call the WIC program at 516-571-3449 weekdays.