Sen. Murray & Rep. Larsen Applaud Department of Navy Decision to Keep Whidbey Island WIC Office Open

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA) applauded news from the Department of Navy, which reversed its decision to close the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) office at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI). The WIC office has been offered the opportunity to operate under a five-year lease directed by the Secretary of the Navy, without paying exorbitant building lease fees. Close to 700 people connected to NASWI use the services at the WIC office, which offers supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for pregnant women, infants, and children up to age five.

"The announcement that this vital assistance won't be shut down is great news for hundreds of servicemembers and military families who rely on this program to give their children a healthy start," Senator Murray said. "I was proud to fight for this decision to be reversed for the military community that sacrifices so much for their country. Making sure our military families have the support they need to put food on the table is the least we should be doing, and this WIC office is an important part of making that happen for so many people in the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island community."

"I am glad that the Navy has come to this common sense decision. Community Action provides critical services in Skagit and Island Counties, including WIC, and I am pleased that military families will continue to have access to these nutrition programs on the base," Congressman Larsen said. "As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will continue to fight for military families. Those who sacrifice for our country should not have to worry about whether they can afford their next meal."‎

Source