KHOU 11 and Astros Foundation Partner with Kids Meals for Houston Food Drive

Kids Meals: Mission and Impact

• 💡 Kids Meals is the nation's only home delivery service for preschool-age children living in food-insecure homes, serving 56 zip codes across Harris and Montgomery Counties.
• 🚀 Founded in 2006 by a woman who saw children dumpster diving, the organization grew from homemade sandwiches to a vital lifeline for families.
• 🎯 The organization aims to eliminate hunger as a barrier, providing healthy meals within 24 to 72 hours of an application.
• 🧠 The first five years of a child's life are critical for brain development, making early intervention for hunger crucial to prevent children from starting life behind.

The Food Drive at Dyken Park

• 🤝 KHOU 11 and the Astros Foundation teamed up with Kids Meals for a one-day food drive at Dyken Park.
• 🚗 Donations of non-perishable food items were collected through an easy, drive-through drop-off area.
• 💖 Volunteers, referred to as "hope providers," not only deliver meals but also connect families with resources for financial literacy, job training, and more.

Addressing Food Insecurity in Houston

• ⚠️ Houston faces a significant challenge, with Harris County ranking number one nationally for child food insecurity, affecting over 100,000 children.
• 📉 Factors like government furloughs and reduced SNAP benefits exacerbate the need for community support.
• 💰 A donation of just $2 can feed a child a healthy, protein-rich meal, while $10 can feed five children.

How to Help and Get Assistance

• 💻 Families in need can apply for assistance through the Kids Meals website, kidsmealsinc.org, by clicking the "Need Help" tab.
• 📱 Those unable to attend the food drive can donate via a QR code found on KHOU.com, which links directly to the Kids Meals donation page.
• 🎁 Donations can include non-perishable food items, monetary contributions, or even homemade trail mix ingredients like dried fruit, healthy cereals, and nuts.

Thanksgiving and Holiday Support

• 🦃 Kids Meals is preparing to deliver 3,000 full Thanksgiving meals, supplemented by turkeys donated by Walmart, to families.
• ✨ The organization's efforts aim to provide stress-free holidays and ensure children receive nutritious meals, offering hope and support to families facing hardship.