Health district’s WIC program to serve nutritious meals this summer WIC to participate in Summer Food Service Program beginning June 7

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – Children need nutritious meals to learn, grow and thrive. And, when the school year ends, families in need are often left to figure out how to provide those meals for the next three months.

Galveston County Health District’s (GCHD) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is excited to join the Houston Food Bank and Texas Department of Agriculture to provide the Summer Food Service Program to children and teens ages 18 and younger. This free summer program kicks off Friday, June 7 with nutritious meals served at the Texas City WIC site each Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m.-noon through Aug. 14.

“We are thrilled to be part of this program. The goal is to make sure teens and children are eating nutritious meals while they are on summer break,” said WIC Director Tiffany Rice. “This program will meet a huge need in the community.”

Meals will be served at the Texas City WIC site, located at 9850-B Emmett F. Lowry Expressway Suite B-101, first come, first served with a limit of 40 meals provided on Wednesday and Fridays, with the exception of July 3.

This is the first year for the health district’s WIC clinic to participate in the food service program. Last year alone, participating WIC clinics provided more than 44,000 nutritious meals to families in the summer. The Houston Food Bank will prepare and deliver all meals to the clinic each Wednesday and Friday.

“We have families who have challenges providing meals year-round, especially in the summer when school is out and students have limited access to those meals and snacks,” Rice said. “We will not be screening when providing these meals. If you are 18 years or younger, you are welcome to come and have a nutritious meal. You do not have to be a WIC client.”

Rice said guidelines require meals be consumed in the WIC classroom. Staff will use the time to engage participants and their families about nutrition education as well as provide games and prizes for children. For more information, please call 409-949-3474.