Summer meal program from Houston Food Bank and local businesses to feed city children

HOUSTON – The Houston Food Bank is preparing to distribute 12,000 meals per day to children in the Greater Houston area this summer.

As school closures increase food insecurity among children, the program aims to close the nutritional gap.

“Some of the things we’ve heard from our families is that they want their children to attend a community site where they feel comfortable and close to home,” said the director of educational services, Cynthia Brunswick. “Our goal is to address some of the hunger-related issues families are facing and ensure they know how to access available food resources.”

SUGGESTED: Houston Food Bank launches meal program as schools close for summer

According to their data, about one in five children in Texas experiences food insecurity on a regular basis. When schools are closed for the summer, this figure increases.

During the school year, children facing hunger may struggle with developmental, social, and behavioral problems at school.

“Students need it to be able to nourish their minds and bodies. We study holistic development of children and its effects,” Brunswick said. “We’re trying to work with partners who are trying to avoid that loss over the summer so we’re ready to go in the fall.”

In 2023, more than 815,000 hot meals were distributed to Houston-area children through after-school programs and at more than 200 community sites during the summer.

RELATED: Spring ISD’s Free Summer Meals Program Serves Nutritious Meals to Children

The Food Bank also highlighted its ongoing disaster relief efforts, distributing more than 1.6 million pounds of food to partner organizations through June 4.

Beyond the Food Bank initiative, local businesses are also getting involved.

Paul Miller, owner of Union Kitchen, announced that children under 12 will eat free with the purchase of an adult meal in June and July at the restaurant’s five locations.

“The rising cost of goods is putting pressure on Houstonians,” Miller said. “We wanted to find a way to ease that burden a little bit.”

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School districts like Houston and Katy ISD also offer free breakfast and lunch programs at various times in June and July. The Katy ISD program is open to any child under the age of 18, regardless of education.

For more information about the Houston Food Bank’s summer meal program and volunteer opportunities, visit their website here. You can also call 211 for more food resources available in your community.