The Boone County WIC  clinic, which celebrated world Breastfeeding Awareness Week August 1-7 with a stroller walk among other special events, offers pregnant women or new moms a wealth of information on caring for their unborn or infant child.  The clinic provides pamphlets on everything from what foods to eat to breastfeeding tips and, in addition, has a staff more than willing to answer an questions women may have.

WIC is a program created by the federal department of Agriculture, WIC provides nutritional information, referrals to healthcare and supplemental food for mothers and children up to the age of five.  "As long as people are fed nutritionally they have less illness," said Schwab, adding this in turn saves taxpayers' money because it prevents health problems.  WIC is not a welfare program - the local branch is sponsored by Arc Rehab Services and works closely with the local Healthy Families program and the Boone County Health Department.

Schwab feels that, right now, her work in the county is crucial.  "We tend to think of Boone County just in terms of wealthy areas, but there are other areas that are so poor," Schwab said.  In addition to poverty-stricken and undernourished areas in Boone County, she has also seen new moms beings victims of drug infestations in the City of Lebanon, she said, noting that women who use drugs - or live in households where drugs are used - are not uncommon participants to WIC.  WIC's goal is simply to help as many of these women as possible and to educate them on how to properly feed themselves and their babies.  For more information or to make an appointment call 765-482-6176 or stop into the clinic at 903 W. Main St. in Lebanon.