FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CONTACT:  Vicki Bowie

                                                                                                                                 (713) 439-6144

                                                                                                                                           Rita Obey

                                                                                                                                 (713) 439-6293

HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OPENS NEW WIC CENTER ON VETERANS MEMORIAL DRIVE

            Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services announces the opening of a new WIC center on May 1^st at 11509 Veterans Memorial Drive, Suite 400. This location is within the Emerald Plaza complex, and will be known as the Emerald Plaza WIC Center.

            WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides nutrition education and food vouchers to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five who have a nutritional need.  WIC also provides breastfeeding assistance, and referrals for health and social services.  The income guidelines for WIC allow a family of four to earn as much as $34,040 annually and still be eligible for the program.  Often working parents who do not qualify for other kinds of assistance are eligible for WIC.

            Following are the hours of operation for the Emerald Plaza WIC Center.

                                   Monday-Tuesday               8:00 am-7:00 pm

                                   Wednesday-Thursday         8:00 am-5:00 pm

                                   Friday, 4^th Saturday            8:00 am-12 Noon

                                   Week following the 4^th Saturday: Closed Friday

For more information about WIC or to make an appointment, call (281) 444-0764.