WIC During COVID19

An open message from Micki McKnight, WIC Director for Stokes County Health Department

WIC During COVID19

As you may recall, part of the USDA’s response to COVID-19 was to allow automatic issuance of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to ensure that beneficiaries do not have to attend in-person WIC clinic appointments in order to receive their monthly food benefit allowance.

However, of the more than 248,000 people who receive WIC in North Carolina, more than 132,000 did not utilize their full food benefits in June 2020.

In response, NCDHHS is working to spread the message to current WIC participants that:

1) WIC benefits are being added directly to their eWIC account on their family issue date.

2) WIC allowances do not roll over, so any balance that is not spent is lost.

3) Enabling notifications on the Bnft® App is the best way receive real-time eWIC updates.

4) WIC clinics are open and ready to serve, even if hours or locations have changed due to COVID-19.

Stokes has two WIC offices

Stokes County Health Department

1009 N. Main St.
Danbury, NC 27016
336-593-2402

Southwest Service Center

104 Hartgrove Rd.
King, NC 27021
336-985-2727

The digital flyer below provides more information for WIC participants about auto-issuance and using their food benefits during COVID-19.

We invite you to share this resource with your communities and direct anyone who has questions to contact their local WIC clinic directly.

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. Stokes County Health Department.

For our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, we spoke with Tammy Martin, Health Director for Stokes County Health Department.

1009 North Main Street Danbury, North Carolina 27016

What are you and your agency doing to address COVID19 in Stokes?

“The Stokes County Health Department has been working to keep the community updated on all information that we receive related to COVID-19. When we do receive positive COVID-19 test results we do the contact tracing on these individuals. The Health Department is responsible for contacting all close contacts when we receive a positive test result. We have been in close daily contact with all long term care facilities to make sure they have all the supplies they need.”

During this time our nurses have been working hard to answer questions in the community and with our stakeholders.

Stokes County Health Department is a Community Partner with the DIAPER BANK of N.C.

Stokes County infants and/or children can receive 2 packs of diapers and/or 3 packs of pull-ups MONTHLY. Wipes, diaper creams and lotions are also available. During the COVID-19 Pandemic the Health Department is offering curb side pick-up. Interested families can call the Danbury WIC Office at 336-593-2400 to request the supplies to be brought to your car. If you live in the King area please call the Danbury office as well to set up a time for pick-up in King. (The KING office is temporarily closed until June 1, 2020.)

Stokes County Health Department
1009 N. Main Street, Danbury NC 27016
336-593-2400 or 336-593-2402
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 8-5:30
Fridays 8-5

*Availability of diapers depends on current demand and supply provided by local Diaper Bank of North Carolina*

Why is it important that our community take these measures?

“At this time due to COVID-19 it is important to continue to social distance and wear a mask when out in public to protect yourself as well as others. The more we stay at home and limit our travel to just essential needs the better it is. Following the Governor’s orders will help us get back to our new normal as soon as possible.”

Please note that this is a temporary change for bread, milk and yogurt through May 31, 2020 related to COVID19. If you have any questions please call: Danbury WIC Office 336-593-2400

What is something positive you have seen in midst of chaos of COVID-19 as we navigate this together?

“Seeing the community stepping up to help people in need; through groups providing free cloth masks, support from both youth and adult civic groups to front line health workers, the public libraries offering free WiFi that can be accessed in the parking lot, the Stokes County School Nutrition Department providing free school meals. Local Government collaborating within community to make sure community stays safe.”

Category: Stokes County Health Department