Madison County NC WIC

01/26/2026

🚨🚨🚨🚨HOW TO PREP FOR THE STORM IF YOU HAVE SMALL INFANT AND CHILDREN 🚨🚨🚨

We are seeing so many families ask how to prep for possible loss of power and water this weekend.

If you have infants and young children, please remember that during emergencies they are especially vulnerable. If you loose water or power or both, you need to be able to safely feed your babes and keep them warm.

Babywearing will be very helpful to keep them warm and regulated. Your heat will keep them warm, skin to skin is best with a hat and layers around you.

If you are breastfeeding, KEEP FEEDING OFTEN!!! This is the safest thing to do during an emergency. Not only will it protect your supply but it will also keep baby close to you for comfort and warmth!

If you are pumping, make sure you have a manual hand pump or know how to hand express. If you use a pump, make sure to think about ways to clean the parts.

If you are using formula, try to have 3 days supply on hand. Ready to feed liquid is the safest in small bottles that are one time use. If you must use powdered formula, make sure to have safe water for making formula and then water for cleaning parts. You may use disposable cups to feed and throw them away after each use so you don’t have to wash parts.

If your baby is eating complementary foods, have plastic utensils and small portions sizes available that don’t need refrigerated after opening.

Remember you need to be able to safely clean and sanitize any feeding products you use for your baby to keep them safe. If you have no running water or can’t heat water, make sure you know what to do!

Please look at resources on the SAFE Infant Feeding Team website or reach out to us for questions. Some of you may know our work from after the hurricane when we were helping keep infants safely fed.

Birthstone has FREE safe infant feeding cold sanitation kits for anyone who needs them, just reach out! These allow you to sanitize pump or bottle parts without the need for hot water.

Learn more at:

https://safeinfantfeeding.org/families/

01/26/2026

Plant-based milks are dairy-free alternatives to cow’s milk. Each type of plant-based milk has a unique flavor and varies in the nutrients it provides.

01/26/2026

01/26/2026

Do you or someone you know need help with groceries this week in WNC? We can help with our free food Community Markets. These markets are full choice, for everyone, and no questions asked.

Please share our mobile market calendar for the week of January 26-30. These markets are just one way that MANNA distributes food to WNC - visit mannafoodbank.org/find-food/ to find more ways we can help.

UPDATE: Due to the winter storm, we have some cancellations and reschedules this week. We will update this post and our website if there are more changes.

Monday, January 26th

RESCHEDULED TO FEB 2: Macon County Center for Progress

CANCELLED: Grant Center

Tuesday, January 27th

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Bartlett Arms Apartments
121 Bartlett St.
Asheville, NC 28801

Wednesday, January 28th

CANCELLED: WNCCHS at AB Tech

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Pisgah View Apartments
1 Granada St.
Asheville, NC 28806

Thursday, January 29th

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), Wolftown Gym
27 Long Branch Rd
Cherokee, NC 28719

01/26/2026

The Hot Springs Emergency Shelter has shifted from a standby to a closed status. The Wellness Center at the Early College will shift from an Emergency Shelter to a standby status for a potential overnight Warming Station in the event of power outages until 6AM on 29 January.

For transportation to an open shelter, call the 911 admin line at 649-3602. They will contact the fire department or Transportation to assist.

Main routes are clear with ice on side roads. County Emergency Management is reporting no Motor Vehicle accidents and only one isolated power outage from a downed tree.

County Manager and Emergency Management continue to monitor and adjust capabilities as the situation changes.

01/23/2026

Freezing rain, windchill and then dropping temps that will stay in the teens or single digits are expected over the next week 🥶 Please make sure any outdoor dogs and cats you care for have fresh, dry straw in their dog houses/cat shelters - NOT blankets as they stay wet and wood shavings/chips do not insulate as well as straw does. Straw bales can be purchased for $6-$8 a bale at various locations such as in Mars Hill, in Marshall, and in Alexander. If you are unable to afford straw for your outdoor animals please come by the shelter anytime and pick up some bagged straw from our parking lot - 1 bag per dog house. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ Also short coated dog breeds, senior animals and puppies/kittens cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to the cold like this so please be kind and move them indoors during this cold snap.

01/23/2026

I just signed up for free emergency alerts from Madison County, NC. If you are in the emergency services area for Madison County, NC, you should too. Just follow this link: http://hyper-reach.com/ncmadisonsignup.html

01/23/2026

The shorter, darker days and lack of sunlight can make January feel long and tough to get through at times. Remember, taking care of your mental health is part of taking care of your family. It's okay to not be okay, you are not alone. ❤️

Need additional support or someone to talk to? Talk with your local WIC clinic for mental health resources or get in touch with text or call based support from the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

01/23/2026

01/23/2026

Gestational diabetes is common and manageable. With screening and support, most people can keep blood sugar in range and reduce risks for themselves and their baby. If you’re pregnant, talk with your provider about screening and next steps.

01/23/2026

lunch inspiration for little ones 🥪🍓

Busy day? We’ve got you. These toddler-friendly lunch ideas require no cooking and are packed with foods WIC families love—easy, nutritious, and perfect for tiny hands.

🥜 Peanut butter banana roll-ups
🥕 Veggie-loaded hummus pita
🍓 Smoothie bowls
🐟 Tuna salad & crackers

Looking for more meal ideas, nutrition tips, or support for your growing family? Your local WIC team is here to help.

📲 See if you qualify for WIC today:
🔗 https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwicreferral

📞 Have questions or need support? Contact our WIC team:
📌 Statesville: 704-878-5319
📌 Mooresville: 704-664-4635
📧 ichdwic@iredellcountync.gov

🌐 More info: [Link in bio] or https://tinyurl.com/ICHDWICNews

📢 WIC is an equal opportunity program.

💜 Share to spread the word and inspire another family today.