LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The E Center Women, Infants and Children Program, or WIC, has released its January appointment scheduling notice.

The nationwide, federally sponsored WIC nutrition program provides nutrition education, support and help with breastfeeding, community and healthcare referrals, and supplemental food benefits to eligible pregnant women, new moms, postpartum women, infants, and children under the age of five.

WIC encourages enrollment of migrants and eligible women in the early months of pregnancy. Single fathers, foster parents and guardians of children under age five are also eligible to enroll their children.

The food packages include fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, milk, cereal, juice, whole grains, and beans or peanut butter, infant cereal, infant fruits and vegetables, and formula supplementation is available for infants.

WIC has generous income guidelines. For example, a family of four can have a yearly gross income of $55,500 or monthly income of up to $4,625 and still be eligible for the health benefits of the WIC program.

To enroll in the WIC program, schedule appointments, or for more information, call 707-263-5253 or 707-994-1151. The fax numbers are 707-263-4183 or 707-994-1152.

WIC families have the option to complete appointments in person or virtually, and can also complete nutrition classes online at wichealth.org. Bilingual staff and lunch-hour appointments are also available.

The January 2024 WIC Program clinic schedule is as follows:

• Lakeport WIC office, 831 Bevins St.: Monday, Jan. 29; Tuesday, Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; Wednesday, Jan. 3, afternoon only; and Friday, Jan. 19. The schedule is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Clearlake WIC office, 14085 - 4 Lakeshore Drive: Monday, Jan. 8 and 22; Wednesday, Jan. 17; Thursday, Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Friday, Jan. 26. The schedule is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Middletown, at the First Baptist Church, 21244 State Highway 175: Friday, Jan. 5. The schedule is from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m.

• Lucerne, at the First Lutheran Church, 3863 Country Club Drive: Friday, Jan. 12. The schedule is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m.