About WIC
WIC is a Federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and children. Our mission is to provide supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. A balanced diet plays a big part in building a healthy body, but we know it can be hard to get the right kind of food for you and your family. Mary’s Center is an official site for the federally funded Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Mary’s Center connects you to the nutrition resources and services available in our community and puts healthy food at your family’s fingertips.
We encourage every eligible parent to apply for WIC benefits at Mary’s Center by calling (202) 232-6679 to make an in-person WIC application appointment. If you are approved as a Mary’s Center WIC participant, you will receive an eWIC card to purchase foods found on the DC WIC Food List. The food list can be downloaded in English and Spanish.
As an approved Mary’s Center WIC participant, you will also have access to:
Breastfeeding Support
We can connect you with a breastfeeding peer counselor or a WIC breastfeeding consultant during the time the WIC Clinics are open. WIC participants who may need additional support are referred to a WIC lactation consultant at no cost.
Nutrition Counseling and Education
WIC registered dietitians (RDs) are available to give nutrition counseling and education at no cost to WIC Participants. RDs will help you create a healthy meal plan with the WIC food package and your budget in mind, helping you and your family eat foods that support your specific health needs.
Safe Sleep Classes
We offer free Safe Sleep classes in English, Spanish, and Amharic on the last Wednesday of every month, in partnership with DC Health. These classes provide pregnant mothers and other caregivers with cutting-edge practices to keep their infants safe while sleeping. All participants receive a safety-approved portable Cribette at no cost. To join the class, you must live in Washington, DC, and be pregnant with a delivery date within 30 days of the class or have an infant up to 12 months of age. Mary’s Center WIC program participation is a requirement. Call 202-232-6679 to join.
For additional information about the DC WIC Program please go to www.dcwic.org
Nutrition Program
WIC provides nutritious food benefits on the eWIC card that can be redeemed in many grocery stores in the District of Columbia. These foods include milk (including organic/goat), cheese, tofu, yogurt (flavored), eggs, cereal, juice, whole grains (bread, tortillas, rice, cereal), beans, peanut butter, legumes, fruits, and vegetables (fresh, canned, dried, or frozen), and more! Please see the DC WIC website for the full food list. (dcwic.org)
Seasonal Farmers Market Nutrition Program
WIC participants over the age of 6 months receive farmer’s market benefits once a year (between June and November) to purchase local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. For additional information on the Farmers Market Program please click here. DC WIC | Farmers Market Program
Clinic Locations
*You do not have to show proof of U.S. citizenship to receive WIC.
For questions and to learn more about WIC, call (202) 232-6679.
Learn more about Mary’s Center’s response to COVID-19 here.
How will I receive my benefits?
Refer a Friend to WIC
Make a Referral to WIC with LINKU
Contact us
Mary’s Center is ready to partner with you on your health journey. Do not hesitate to reach out to us using the information below:
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
By federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.