MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A program here has been assisting families in need of aid with nutritional food and education.
The Women Infant Children Overseas Program helps pregnant women, lactating women, infants and children under 5-years-old with a variety of food and other items for the past two years now.
The program is designed to prevent problems normally related to malnutrition by offering infant formula, eggs, beans, peanut butter, cheese, milk, juice, tuna and vegetables. Although these items are free, only qualified service members and their families are entitled to receive this service.
"There are many requirements, but the one that most commonly prevents applicants from becoming eligible for the aid is financial reasons. If someone makes too much money they will not qualify for the program," said Toni Piechota, WICO Competent Professional authority.
Other prerequisites to be qualified include being a service member or immediate family member of the armed forces with orders stating they are stationed in Iwakuni. Mothers must be either pregnant or lactating, or have an infant or child up to 5-years-old. Applicants have to be living in Iwakuni and be at a nutritional risk.
"Everything is put into the equation when we figure out who needs these services. Family size also plays a big part as well as money received through basic military allowances," said Piechota.
According to Jeannette Moore, a registered nurse with the Branch Medical Clinic, the nutritional intake by a mother before and after pregnancy as well as infants is extremely critical in maintaining a healthy body.
"Once a woman gives birth she needs to be able to build her body back up and the only way for her to do that is to eat the proper foods. Infants are also at risk if they are not eating right because there bodies are growing at such a rapid rate," said Moore.
Moore also stated some women may be unaware of what is nutritionally in their favor to eat and WICO can play a big part in educating them on that matter.
"The monthly food products from WICO will provide all of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for pregnant women and infants to be very healthy as well as the information they will provide," she said.
For more information or questions on WICO call 253-4928.