In the 2025 Corpus Christi–Nueces County Community Health Assessment, 28.3 percent of people surveyed said they had missed or put off a doctor’s visit in the past year. The most common reasons were time, cost and transportation.

We cannot fix the bus schedule. But we can make sure you know where the doors are. This is a short, checked list of places in Corpus Christi where a family can get a doctor, free vaccines, WIC and groceries, even without insurance. We confirmed each address and phone number on the organization’s own website or the City’s resource guide this month. Hours change, so call before you go.

A doctor for your child, insured or not

Corpus Christi has a federally funded community health center: Amistad Health. Health centers like this see patients whether or not they have insurance. Amistad says it offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients, based on family size and income, and it helps families sign up for coverage.

• Amistad Health Pediatrics, 7017 S. Staples St., Suite 101 (78413). Care for children from birth to 18. (361) 994-7255.
• Amistad Health main clinic, 1533 S. Brownlee Blvd. (78404). Medical, dental, behavioral health and pediatrics. (361) 884-2242.
• Robstown: 814 E. Main Ave., (361) 886-3040.

A regular clinic matters more than it sounds. It is where your child’s height, weight and blood pressure get written down year after year, and where a doctor can decide whether a blood-sugar test makes sense.

Free care for a parent with no coverage

Two local clinics run on volunteer doctors and charge nothing:

• Mission of Mercy, 2421 Ayers St. (78404). Free medical care by appointment, including a Tuesday evening clinic, plus help getting prescriptions at little or no cost. It also offers free eye exams for children 5 and older and adults, with a voucher for one free pair of glasses while supplies last. (361) 883-5500.
• Metro Ministries, Dr. James Gabbard Memorial Health Clinic, 1919 Leopard St. Free primary care and vision exams, help with medications, and help finding a permanent clinic and applying for benefits. (361) 887-0151.

Your own health is part of your family’s health. If you have been putting off a checkup because you have no coverage, these are good places to start.

Free vaccines

The Corpus Christi–Nueces County Public Health District gives no-cost vaccines through the Texas Vaccines for Children program to kids 18 and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, on or eligible for Medicaid, or American Indian or Alaska Native. The clinic is at 1702 Horne Road, Room 93, and takes walk-ins or appointments. Bring the Medicaid card if your child has one, the shot record and a photo ID. Main line: (361) 826-7200. There is also a satellite clinic at 710 E. Main in Robstown.

WIC for the little ones in your house

Ignite Fit is for ages 8 to 17, but many of our families have a baby or toddler too. WIC serves pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum mothers and children up to their 5th birthday, with nutrition counseling and help buying healthy food. If your family is on Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you already meet the income rule. Otherwise, a family of four can earn up to $61,050 a year before taxes, according to Texas WIC’s current guidelines. The City says you do not have to be a U.S. citizen.

• City of Corpus Christi WIC, 1702 Horne Road. (361) 826-1355.
• Driscoll Children’s WIC, 4141 S. Staples St., Suite 403. (361) 694-6767.
• Or apply online at texaswic.org, or call 800-942-3678.

Food this week

The Coastal Bend Food Bank does not hand food to individuals, but it supplies pantries in or serving every ZIP code in Corpus Christi. Call (361) 887-6291 with your ZIP code and they will point you to the closest one. The same office has a free social services team that helps with SNAP, Medicaid and CHIP applications.

• Catholic Charities Choice Pantry, 615 Oliver Ct. (78408). You pick your own groceries instead of getting a pre-packed bag, which helps when someone in the house cannot eat certain foods. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 8 to 11:30 a.m. (361) 884-0651.
• Diabetes Food Pantry at the Food Bank, 5442 Bear Lane, on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. For people already diagnosed with diabetes; bring an ID and proof such as your diabetes medicine, a prescription or an A1C lab result. Prediabetes does not qualify. Each visit starts with a 30-minute class. (361) 887-7979.

The short version

Before you go, gather a photo ID, proof of address, any Medicaid or CHIP card and your child’s shot record. Most places will tell you on the phone exactly what else to bring.

Where Ignite Fit comes in

Ignite Fit is our free ten-week children’s health season for ages 8 to 17 in Nueces County. We are a community program, not a clinic, and the best partner a child can bring into the season is a doctor who knows them. Season One is for 25 children, and dates will be announced soon. Parents are welcome at every session, and no parent is ever asked to drop off and leave. We are Catholic and open to everyone; prayer is offered and never required.

Your next step: pick one call from the table above and make it this week. To hear when registration opens, contact us, email service@ignitehisglory.com or call 361-765-2126.