The Missoula Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, administered through the Missoula City-County Health Department, is accepting new clients in Missoula and surrounding counties.
As the nation’s most successful and cost-effective public health nutrition program, WIC is designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors for participating families. Nationwide, WIC provides healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and other benefits to more than 7 million people, including 16,000 participants in Montana.
The program provides personalized support for income-eligible pregnant women, caregivers and parents with children under five. Households enrolled in the following programs automatically meet income eligibility for WIC:
• Healthy Montana Kids Plus (HMK-Plus) and Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• National School Lunch Program (free and reduced-price meals)
Specific income guidelines are available online at wic.mt.gov or by calling 1-800-433-4298.
“When asked what they value most about the program, more than 75 percent of Montana WIC participants say they value the nutrition information and appreciate the support from WIC staff,” said Missoula WIC Supervisor Kate Devino. “We know there are eligible families in our area not currently being served, so we’re working to spread the word about the program so everyone who’s eligible can receive this assistance.”
Those interested in enrolling can call the Missoula WIC office at 406-258-4740 to apply or to get connected to their local clinic, even if it’s outside Missoula County.
The main Missoula WIC clinic is located at the health department, 301 W. Alder St. in Missoula. It’s open from 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday. Hours for the Missoula WIC satellite clinics are:
• Missoula Food Bank, 1720 Wyoming St.: 9 a.m.- 4:15 p.m. Monday and Thursday
• Seeley Lake, Faith Chapel Church, 3260 Hwy. 83 N.: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., first Tuesday of each month
• Lolo, Spirit of Christ Mission, 5475 Farm Lane: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., second Tuesday of each month
• UM Villages, 2603 Maurice Ave.: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., third Tuesday of each month
Appointments are available at all the clinics, but walk-ins are always welcome. Missoula WIC is an equal opportunity provider. For more information, call Devino at 406-258-4740 or email kdevino@missoulacounty.us.
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