BUFFALO — Expectant and young families are invited to five Healthy Baby Festivals planned for three counties during July and August by Catholic Charities Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The free events offer activities for children and information for parents and run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at sites in Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.

The event in Jamestown will be in Allen Park on July 30 and in Dunkirk will be in Washington Park on Aug. 1.

Also featured will be games, face painting, crafts, educational resources, prizes and giveaways. The Dunkirk festival will include the Buffalo Zoomobile, and the Jamestown festival will include the St. Bonaventure University Quick Center for the Arts ArtMobile. Families are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch.

Catholic Charities WIC hosts the events in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week from Aug. 1 to 7 to raise awareness about the significance and benefits that breastfeeding provides.

The Healthy Baby Festivals will be supported by more than 50 local community agencies across the three counties, offering resources and activities.

All are encouraged to attend, especially expectant mothers, families and caregivers. Anyone interested in learning more about breastfeeding or in support of the importance of a healthy start for babies is welcome.

“Our Catholic Charities WIC Healthy Baby Festivals are not only fun for families, but they’re also a wonderful resource for information about infant and child safety, nutrition, breastfeeding and so much more,” said Judette Dahleiden, director of Catholic Charities WIC. “We really encourage expectant and young families to come out and spend the afternoon with us.”

The events receive assistance from the annual Appeal in support of Catholic Charities, and are sponsored in part by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. The Buffalo event is also sponsored in part by the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network.

No registration is required. For more information, call (716) 218-1484 ext. 2411, or go to ccwny.org/calendar.

Catholic Charities administers WIC in Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. The program served more than 17,000 women and children up to the age of five in 19 locations in the three counties in 2018.

WIC offers nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, prenatal and postpartum support, referrals and supplemental food vouchers. WIC services are available through application to married or single parents, foster parents or other legal guardians of a child under five. All services offered are free of charge.

For more information about WIC, go to ccwny.org/wic, or call 716-218-1484.