On May 20th, PHFE WIC, a program of Heluna Health, hosted its fourth annual Family Resource Fair. With the sun shining and bubbles floating through the air, the WIC team welcomed families, community partners, and friends to the beautiful Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in South El Monte for a day of connection, learning, and celebration.
Complete with nutrition education, breastfeeding support, face painting, a fun dance workout and lots of community resources, it was a wonderful day of uplifting the families at the center of WIC’s mission, celebrating health and wellness, and highlighting their on-going commitment to providing crucial support to the community.
“Our largest program, PHFE WIC has been with Heluna Health for over 50 years, and we are proud to support them and this event each year,” shares Peter Dale, Chief Program Officer of Heluna Health. “It’s the sense of community; it’s everyone coming together to provide everything that’s needed for families that makes this so special.”
Event speakers included Dale, along with Kiran Saluja, Executive Director of PHFE WIC, Cindy Clapp, PHFE WIC Deputy Director, and Megan Esparza, Executive Director of the California WIC Association, who all shared inspiring remarks highlighting the importance and impact of WIC for families across California.
With 25 community partners in attendance, the Resource Fair connected the 1,200+ attendees with an abundance of resources and services. Throughout the event, attendees received:
- 56,000+ diapers
- 8,000 children’s books
- 180 bags of breastfeeding supplies
- 70 electric breast pumps
- 150 health screenings (including height/weight, hemoglobin, and blood pressure)
These numbers highlight WIC’s role as a lifeline for many families, ensuring they have access to essential supplies for themselves and their children.
Latch On: Celebrating Breastfeeding
The Resource Fair also included PHFE WIC’s second annual “Latch On” event, a special moment where 100 breastfeeding parents came together in a show of unity, strength, and support. The event is aimed at normalizing breastfeeding, celebrating the breastfeeding journey, and reminding families that they are seen and supported.
“At the beginning, I was giving up on breastfeeding,” shares Andrea, WIC mom and Resource Fair attendee. “I didn’t think I would be able to do it, but because of WIC and my lactation consultant, I’m breastfeeding. And because of that I have a healthy boy.”
This event is a testament to the care and dedication of PHFE WIC and the importance of this program for our community. Providing healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and family resources to over 200,000 women, infants, and children, PHFE WIC is the largest WIC program in the country, but it’s more than just a nutrition program. It’s a network of support that empowers families to thrive.
“I think the best part is the connection and the community,” shares Brianna, WIC mom and Resource Fair attendee. “I think that’s the key.”
Special thanks to the WIC Staff, community partners, and the families who made this year’s Family Resource Fair such a wonderful success! Together, we are creating healthier futures for all.
