Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

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.

  • Online Breastfeeding SupportThe Pacify app allows you to video-call a doctor or nurse to ask questions about breastfeeding, infant feeding, and other infant or child health concerns. Video calls are free, can be done in English or Spanish, and are available 24 hours daily. In addition, participants have access to IBCLC services.
  • Beautiful Beginnings Club (BBC): Supported by the DC Diaper Bank and  First Shift Justice Project, the BBC provides new mothers and soon-to-be mothers breastfeeding support, education programs, and incentives. Classes are offered in English, Spanish, and Amharic.

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

  • We are currently providing all Mary’s Center WIC services at four locations:
    • Petworth Health Center (3912 Georgia Avenue, NW)
    • Adams Morgan Health Center (2355 Ontario Road, NW)
    • Fort Totten (100 Gallatin Street, NE)
    • Brentwood at Adventure Dental (1060 Brentwood Road, NE) – Thursdays only
  • Services are in person and the following documents are required:
  • Proof of DC residency dated within the last 30 days (apartment lease, utility bill with your name on it, mail addressed to participant)
  • Proof of income dated within the last 30 days, (recent pay stub, TANF/SNAP award, bank statement, signed letter from employer)
  • Proof of identity (i.e., photo ID, Driver’s License)
  • The infant/child/discharge papers, immunization record
  • Proof of pregnancy
  • Prescription for special formula or supplement, if applicable

*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?

  • WIC benefits are loaded onto the eWIC card.
  • You now have the option of purchasing a few or all your food items at once, as long as you have benefits remaining on your eWIC card. In addition, you can shop at a variety of participating stores.

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:

  • To learn more about WIC or make a WIC application appointment, call (202) 232-6679

+ 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%20P-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.