Mo. WIC funding available - for now

Callaway serves 600+ in program that becomes dubious as government shutdown continues

More than 600 Callaway County women and children do not have to worry about federal assistance in purchasing healthy food during the government shutdown. At least not for now.

Despite concerns nationally about funding for the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) - Utah closed its program down last week - Callaway County Health Department Director Sharon Lynch said Missouri is one of the states that is able to operate through October.

"As far as we know, we're going through the end of the month with WIC, and then the state will let us know, so hopefully (the shutdown) will end before that," Lynch said. "Missouri is pretty conservative with money, and they held some back."

WIC supplies low-income women with checks or debit cards that can be used for infant formula and cereal, fruits and vegetables, dairy items and other healthy food, as well as reserouces for breast-feeding support and nutrition classes. The program serves pregnant women and children until age 5.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.