Expectant and young families are invited to attend a free Healthy Baby Festival hosted by Catholic Charities of Buffalo Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program from noon to 2 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Hyde Park Spray Park at 3200 Pine Ave.
The event coincides with World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7) to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.
“For more than 15 years, Catholic Charities has been hosting the Healthy Baby Festival to provide expectant mothers, families, and caregivers with important resources to give their baby a healthy start,” said Katie Constantino, WIC breastfeeding coordinator, Catholic Charities. “There will be plenty of free information on infant and child safety, breastfeeding, nutrition, and more, as well as some fun for young children, too.”
The event features free activities for children including character visits, along with important resources for parents. Vendors participating this year include WIC breastfeeding peer counselors, CAO Head Start, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Niagara County Department of Health, Niagara County Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Coalition, Pinnacle Community Services, and P3 Center Community Health Worker Program. The Catholic Charities Healthy Baby Festival is included as a Fresh Air Friday event. The summer events are supported by the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Coalition partner agencies in Niagara County.
WIC offers nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, prenatal and postpartum support, referrals, and supplemental food vouchers. WIC services are available through application to pregnant women, married or single parents, foster parents, or other legal guardians of a child under five. All services offered are free of charge. Catholic Charities administers WIC in Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. Last year, the program impacted more than 105,000 individuals across the three counties.
For more information about WIC, go to ccwny.org/wic or call 716-218-1484.