Andover Parents Could Get Help from WIC

ANDOVER — Women, Infants and Children (WIC), a nutrition program, reports that some people in Andover aren’t getting the help they are eligible to receive, the Eagle-Tribune reports.

The program’s office at the Andover/North Andover YMCA on Haverhill Street currently serves about 80 Andover residents, but many more may qualify for assistance but don't ask for help, the newspaper states.

“Every year, the state conducts a needs assessment survey, and there are 169 eligible,” Program Director Ashley Mason told the Eagle-Tribune.

The WIC office opened at the YMCA on July 12, 2016, and serves about 160 clients in total from Lawrence, Methuen, Andover and North Andover.

WIC is servicing 81 percent of the eligible North Andover residents, but only 47 percent of qualifying Andover residents are using the program.

WIC, which started in 1975 and relies on state and federal funding, provides healthy food to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and to children up to the age of 5.

WIC also gives clients $20 vouchers to spend on fresh produce at farmers markets, and provide referrals to fuel assistance, lead prevention programs, and child care programs.

The Andover WIC office can be reached at 978-681-4968, and there is information available from the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council at www.GLCAC.org.

For more on this story read the Eagle-Tribune.