HOUSTON, TX - Houston Texans' Outside Linebacker Whitney Mercilus partnered with his foundation WithMerci for a grocery shopping spree for Smartie Pants Academy. Mercilus and his foundation focus on helping families of children with disabilities, and Smartie Pants Academy is a long-time partner of the WithMerci Foundation. During this pandemic, the WithMerci Foundation has seen a dramatic increase in the needs of these children which include food, mobile devices, medication and medical equipment. Due to purchasing limits imposed by retailers, Smartie Pants Academy recently expressed their challenges in securing food for the nearly 40 kids they serve daily.

Mercilus and his team placed a call to Costco in Katy (23645 Katy Frwy.) to share Smartie Pants' story. This morning Mercilus arrived at the store, and with the help of Costco management, was able to provide the academy's director enough goods for the next couple of months. Mercilus also took care of their detail cleaning service of the school for the next two months.

"I am just doing what I am called to do. These children need the necessary nutrition to grow and be better, and if I have it in my power to do so, that is what I am going to do. I have seen first-hand the care that the children receive at Smartie Pants, so when the call was made I had to make sure I answered," Whitney Mercilus said.

A majority of the 40 kids in the care of Smartie Pants have parents who are doctors and nurses. Smartie Pants recently celebrated 10 years of service to children with physical and "invisible" disabilities.

"Whitney is an angel on Earth. He doesn't have to bless others, but he does and it comes directly from his heart. We are forever grateful," Sumiko Hamilton, Founder and Executive Director of Smartie Pants Academy said.

The management at Costco - Katy was eager and willing to help. Mercilus and the WithMerci Foundation are grateful for the assistance and professionalism shown to Smartie Pants during this time.

To learn more or donate to Smartie Pants Academy please visit www.smartiepantsacademy.org. To connect with the WithMerci Foundation and partner with Whitney Mercilus to assist children with disabilities visit www.withmerci.org.