~ The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services has renewed the contract to provide $1,769,049 for the continuation of Women, Infants & Children (WIC) services in Greene County for fiscal year 2024. Springfield-Greene County Health is ready for a new year with plans to engage in outreach to ensure all eligible families are aware of the support available to them through the WIC program.

The WIC program is designed to safeguard the health of women, infants and children who are at nutritional risk by increasing access to nutritious foods and providing education on healthy eating, breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and other community resources. Through this contract, the Health Department was able to serve 10,718 pregnant persons, infants and children in Greene County for fiscal year 2023.

Despite this success, there are still families in the community who are eligible but not yet receiving benefits. This is especially true for families with young children between the ages of one and four. Through WIC's supplemental foods benefits package, these families can receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products, hot or cold cereals, 100% fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables through a child's fifth birthday.

More on Missouriar

• On behalf of the At Your Service Plumbing Club Members, we have donated to The Salvation Army and Families Network Unlimited this Holiday Season
• Springfield: Buc-ee's ribbon cutting and grand opening Monday
• Springfield: Buc-ee's ribbon cutting and grand opening Monday
• St. Louis: SLATE Missouri Job Center Hosts Final Installment of Holly Jolly Hiring Fair Series on December 8, 2023
• Operation Bullpen Stan Fitzgerald hits back on political persecution with "The Fall of Deceit" now available for purchase

"We encourage WIC Membership for all households in Greene County who are eligible," said new WIC Program Coordinator Tara Williams. "We are available and ready to provide nutritional support and encouragement to families through pregnancy, infancy and childhood. By supporting families we strengthen our community."

WIC services are provided to eligible women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or post-partum mothers as well as infants and children up to age five whose annual gross household income is 185% of the federal poverty level or less. For a family of three that currently equates to an annual gross household income of about $45,991 while a family of four would need an income below $55,500.

If you think you might qualify for WIC services you can call (417) 864-1540 or visit wicworks417.org for more information about locations and hours or eligibility requirements. The Springfield-Greene County Health Department encourages all eligible households in Greene County take advantage of this valuable resource that can help them live longer healthier lives.

---

Show All News | Report Violation