The Kyle WIC clinic, located at 150 W. Lockhart Street, is operated by the City of San Marcos. The office is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. They can be reached at 512-268-0003. (Photo by David White)
by ANDY SEVILLA
Since opening a Kyle office in October 2012, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program now serves about 1,300 customers per month.
WIC is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. WIC provides nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods and referrals to other services.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which funds the WIC program in Kyle and San Marcos, provides services free of charge to low-income families.
The City of San Marcos operates the WIC clinics in Kyle and San Marcos.
“There is a definite need in the northern I-35 corridor of Hays County for WIC services,” Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said. “Many WIC clients already find traveling a hardship, and now no longer need to arrange transportation to San Marcos.”
Households with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty income level are eligible for the free program, according to the DSHS website.
The poverty guideline for a family of four is $23,550, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For each additional person, add $4,020, according to the agency.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest statistics, Kyle has 9.2 percent of its population below poverty level, which translates to about 2,695 residents.
By comparison, San Marcos, who also has a WIC clinic, has 35.6 percent of its population below poverty level, according to census statistics.
Data also showed that Buda and Hays County’s residents are at 5.9 percent and 16.4 percent below poverty level, respectively.
DerryAnn Martinez, WIC program assistant director of community services, said the “WIC clinic in the Kyle area was very much welcomed.”
“Studies show that WIC plays an important role in improving birth outcomes and containing health-care costs,” according to the DSHS website. “WIC has a positive impact on children’s diets. WIC improves infant-feeding practices by actively promoting breastfeeding as the best method of feeding infants. WIC clients have improved rates of childhood immunizations and a regular source of health care.”
Kyle’s WIC clinic, at 150 W. Lockhart Street, is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. They can be reached at 512-268-0003.
WIC Food Packages offered
Breastfed Infants – 6 months to 11 months
Infant cereal – 24 ounces
Infant fruits and vegetables – 64 – 4 ounce containers
Infant meats – 31 – 2.5 ounce containers
Formula Fed Infants – 0 to 5 months
Formula – amount varies
Formula Fed Infants – 6 months to 11 months
Infant cereal – 24 ounces
Infant fruits and vegetables – 32 – 4 ounce containers
Children 12 to 23 months
Milk (whole only) – 3 gallons and 1 quart
Cheese – 1 pound
Cereal – 36 ounces
Juice (64 ounces fluid or 16 ounces frozen – 2 containers
Eggs – 1 dozen
Beans – 1 pound
Peanut butter – none
Fruits and vegetables – $6
Whole grains – 2 pounds
Children 2 years and older
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1% or 2%) – 3 gallons and 1 quart
Cheese – 1 pound
Cereal – 36 ounces
Juice (64 ounces fluid or 16 ounces frozen) – 2 containers
Eggs – 1 dozen
Beans or peanut butter – 1 pound or 18 ounces
Fruits and vegetables – $6
Whole grains – 2 pounds
Post Partum and Some Breastfeeding
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1% or 2%) – 3 gallons and 1 quart
Cheese – 1 pound
Cereal – 36 ounces
Juice (48 ounces fluid or 12 ounces frozen) – 2 containers
Eggs – 1 dozen
Beans or peanut butter – 1 pound or 18 ounces
Fruits and vegetables – $10
Whole grains – none
Pregnant and Mostly Breastfeeding
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1% or 2%) – 4 1/2 gallon and 1 quart
Cheese – 1 pound
Cereal – 36 ounces
Juice (48 ounces fluid or 12 ounces frozen) – 3 containers
Eggs – 1 dozen
Beans and peanut butter – 1 pound and 18 ounces
Fruits and vegetables – $10
Whole grains – 1 pound
Exclusively Breastfeeding
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1% or 2%) – 5 gallon and 1 quart
Cheese – 2 pounds
Cereal – 36 ounces
Juice (48 ounces fluid or 12 ounces frozen) – 3 containers
Eggs – 2 dozen
Beans and peanut butter – 1 pound and 18 ounces
Tuna or Salmon – 30 ounces
Fruits and vegetables – $10
Whole grains – 1 pound
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