Tacoma, WA – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) led MultiCare, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, in a press conference highlighting how the federal government shutdown impacts Washington’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the resources in Pierce County for families in need of baby formula.
“Nothing is more fundamental to health than nutrition. Women, infants and children across Washington state are at risk of losing vital support if WIC funding runs out,” said Strickland. “Families could lose baby formula, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support – all because Republicans in Congress refuse to come to the table and negotiate.”
“WIC is a vital component of health support and is proven to be effective. One dollar invested in WIC has been shown to have between a 300 and 400% return by reducing prematurity and low birth weight and protecting children from long-term health complications. in short, WIC works. I can think of no better investment than to support the health of our infants during this crisis,” said Dr. Chris Ladish, MultiCare Assistant Vice President.
“No parent should face the fear of not being able to feed their baby. At Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, we are working tirelessly to respond. As part of the Pierce County WIC Formula Task Force, we are working quickly to identify immediate solutions like securing formula and supplies and supporting easy and accessible ways to get formula to families,” Chantell Harmon Reed, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Director of Public Health.
“It’s a great day to change lives,” said Kat Boorady, MultiCare Program Assistant Special Projects; WIC and former WIC recipient.
“If WIC and SNAP run out of funds, it won’t just be an inconvenience – it will be a crisis. Families could face impossible choices between food, housing, and other essentials,” said Ashleigh Ligon, No Kid Hungry Parent Advocate and former WIC recipient.
You can watch the full press conference here.
In Washington state, over 200 clinics serve over 212,000 women and their children younger than 5 years old annually under WIC. Nearly one-third of all babies born, 29% of pregnant mothers, and 36% of children under the age of 5 in Washington state rely on WIC each month.
On October 23, 2025, the Washington State Department of Health announced that federal funding for the state’s WIC will continue into mid-to-late November. Funding for WIC has been sourced from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, the $300 million infusion would only last through the end of the month.
The Pierce County WIC Formula Task Force, co-led by MultiCare and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, is coordinating local formula procurement and distribution. The task force includes over 25 organizations and focuses on stockpiling and managing large formula orders, and delivering formula to babies and mothers via local Family Resource Centers – especially as demand grows throughout the federal government shutdown.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
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