SEATTLE — The ongoing government shutdown is now affecting women and children in need of food assistance.

The federal nutrition program known as Women, Infants & Children, or WIC, is at risk of reducing critical services due to the shutdown, even closing clinics entirely.

At least two WIC clinics in southeastern Washington have already closed, according to the Washington Department of Health. They include the Tri-Cities Community Health WIC Clinic, which shut down on Oct. 3, and the Whitman County Health WIC Clinic, which closed on Oct. 7.

WADOH said if the shutdown continues beyond the remaining available administrative funding, additional regional offices may close.

The Washington Department of Health oversees 208 Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, clinics statewide. The clinics re

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