Houston Children Can Get Free Meals This Summer

HOUSTON, TX — Growing bodies and minds need three square meals a day, and the City of Houston wants to make sure children here don't go hungry. If a family qualifies, children can receive breakfast or lunch at nine centers across the city this summer.

The Houston Health Department's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and the Houston Food Bank are providing the meals, which are served between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“Aside from WIC’s quality nutritious foods, our registered dietitians also give families valuable guidance that can keep them healthy,” Zahra Koopaei, WIC director, said in a release.

According to WIC, almost 2.5 million children in Texas qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but only 11 percent of the same population participates in summer meal programs.

Here are WIC's guidelines:

A pregnant woman with an annual income of $22,311 or less and a family of four with annual income of $45,510 or less qualify for WIC benefits. For more information about the summer meals program or enrolling in WIC, call 832-393-5427.

Here is the list of participating WIC centers in the Houston area:

• Alief WIC, 12660 Beechnut, Suite 180
• Sharpstown WIC, 6201 Bonhomme #330 South
• Braesner WIC, 8632 South Braeswood
• Sunnyside WIC, 9314 Cullen
• La Nueva Casa De Amigos WIC, 1809 North Main Street
• Northside WIC, 8504 Schuller
• Aldine WIC, 5198 Aldine Mail Route
• Airline WIC, 5990 Airline Suite 200 and
• Northwest WIC, 8536 Hammerly.

For further information, call 832-393-5427 or click here.

— Image: flickr/USDA