SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. -- The Women, Infants, & Children program (WIC) is celebrating half a century in Shasta County.

WIC tackles the nutritional needs of families nationwide, such as those in Shasta County. Representatives with the county said WIC serves almost 5,000 local people each month, including more than 40% of infants born in Shasta County.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the WIC team held an open house on the morning of Sept. 18 welcoming the public, their partners, and healthcare professionals.The event had breakfast for guests and tours of the location on Churn Creek Road.

"Over the last 50 years, we've had a great opportunity," Shasta County WIC Lactation Consultant and Nutritionist Kristi Richey said. "We've been able to help new mothers have healthier pregnancies and breastfeed their babies."

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Shasta County WIC offers supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, as well as referrals. County administrators said that, monthly, about $280,000 of WIC food benefits are used at local grocery stores, in addition to farmers markets.

Richey told KRCR studies have shown WIC helps lead to fewer preterm births and less babies being born at a low weight.

She said, "When I started [with WIC], we were celebrating our 25th, so celebrating our 50th is a great milestone. It just means a lot because it means helping moms and helping babies and young children in our community."