This summer’s passage of H.R.1 threatens to drastically cut SNAP benefits, placing millions of families at risk of food insecurity. These policies directly impact families like Ashley Blair’s, for whom programs like WIC are not just helpful—they are lifelines.

This new blog series by Ashley, a member of CLASP’s Community Partnership Group and VOICE (Victory Over Injustice Creates Equality), examines the importance of food justice and access to essential programs like WIC, and reminds us that everyone deserves the resources they need to thrive.

By Ashley Blair

Questions I ask myself far too often when money is tight: “How do I feed my children today? Do we have enough to get groceries to last a few days? Lord, I need help.”

I’ve always had a passion for helping others, which led me to pursue both my B.S. and M.S. in Biology from The Tennessee State University. Our motto, Think. Work. Serve., is etched into my heart, and it has guided every step of my journey.

I am also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity (Kappa Iota chapter) and Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Inc. (Psi Phi chapter) at The Tennessee State University. After college, I worked as a research analyst, research assistant, and clinical research coordinator at  hospitals across Tennessee.

People often hear my credentials and wonder, “Why do you need public benefits with two degrees and a full-time career in health care?” The answer is simple: the math doesn’t add up. The average household income in Tennessee is around $56,000, and the income limit for WIC for a family of three is $49,303. I’m just one of the countless mothers who work full-time but still qualify for WIC.

Also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, WIC is a federally funded program that provides nutritious foods, nutrition counseling, and referrals to healthcare and social services for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five who have low incomes and are at nutritional risk. WIC isn’t just a benefits program—it’s a lifeline that’s been linked to healthier births, lower infant mortality rates, improved nutrition, and long-term cognitive development for children.

I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for WIC, which supported me through one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of motherhood: breastfeeding. On the day my daughter was born, I thought breastfeeding would come naturally—but it hurt, and I didn’t know what to do. Through WIC, I received not just guidance but hands-on, compassionate care. A medical professional came to my home to help me learn how to nurse my baby. That support changed everything.

When my second child was born at just 28 weeks, WIC once again made it possible for me to provide him with breast milk. That ensured I could give him the same nutrition and immune support that helped my daughter thrive.

Fully funding WIC ensures that all eligible families—including pregnant people of color and their infants, who face disproportionate health risks–can receive assistance. Last month, the White House announced a temporary funding patch using tariff revenues. While this shows some effort, it’s a short-term fix to a long-term crisis. Questions remain: How much funding will be provided? When will it be distributed? How long will it last?

If WIC is not fully funded, 6.7 million participants—including 41 percent of all infants in the United States–will be affected. This means mothers may lose access to healthy foods and breastfeeding support, directly affecting their children’s brain development and well-being. The resulting stress of not knowing how to feed your children is devastating, and that kind of stress has real physical and mental consequences: anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and more.

I vividly remember taking my daughter to a dentist appointment where her exam wasn’t covered by insurance. I had to choose between paying for her dental visit or buying groceries. No parent should ever have to make that choice. Having access to WIC as a vegan family allows us to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, which has made a tremendous difference in our health and lives.

The National WIC Association (NWA) has made it clear: this temporary fix is not enough. A prolonged government shutdown—especially at the start of the fiscal year—puts millions of pregnant women, new mothers, and young children in jeopardy. Access to infant formula, breastfeeding support, and vital nutrition services must not be left to chance.

As NWA President and CEO Dr. Georgia Machell said:

“We welcome efforts to keep WIC afloat during the shutdown, but families need long-term stability, not short-term uncertainty… There is no substitute for Congress doing its job. WIC needs full-year funding, not just temporary lifelines.”

I couldn’t agree more. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Machell at Bread for the World’s “Nourish Our Future” Campaign earlier this year in Washington, D.C. Her passion for food justice and equity inspires me daily.

Many families like mine rely on WIC for our most basic needs. The program cannot, and should not, be put on the back burner. Through the VOICE series and programs to come, we’re committed to keeping these injustices at the forefront—amplifying the voices of those most impacted and holding leaders accountable to act.

This is not a time for silence. It’s a time to lift every voice, demand equity, and ensure every family has access to the nutrition, care, and dignity they deserve.