YES Prep Public Schools, in collaboration with YES Prep North Rankin Elementary, is delighted to extend a helping hand to hundreds of North Houston families in need by providing free Thanksgiving turkeys and meal kits next week. The event is open to the public and will take place at the Rockstar Energy Bike Park on Tuesday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Hosted by the brand-new YES Prep North Rankin Elementary, slated to open next school year on the north side, the giveaway aims to support the community and foster connections. Families in the North Houston area facing food insecurity are invited to participate, with no pre-registration required. The giveaway operates on a first-come, first-served basis, offering one turkey per family. To ensure eligibility, a family representative must be at least 18 years old.

Details for the Turkey & Meal Kit Giveaway:

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 21

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Place: Rockstar Energy Bike Park, 12257 Kuykendahl Rd. (77067)

Open to all families in the North Houston area in need

No pre-registration required

First come, first served

One turkey per family

Family representative must be at least 18 years old.

For more information, please contact YES Prep at (713) 967-9000.

The giveaway includes all the ingredients necessary for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, encompassing a turkey, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, and green beans.

YES Prep North Rankin Elementary, part of YES Prep Public Schools, is set to open in August 2024 and is one of three new elementary schools scheduled to launch. YES Prep Public Schools is recognized as one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing public charter school systems in the U.S.

The Thanksgiving giveaway initiative is spearheaded by Stephanee Dorsey, a 15-year career educator and founding principal of North Rankin Elementary. Dorsey emphasizes the importance of serving the community and building connections. She stated, “This giveaway not only provides Thanksgiving meals to our families but also connects them to our new North Rankin elementary school. As the founding principal, I will continue to carry out my vision of academic excellence and strong community building in this North Houston community.”

In addition to the turkey and meal kits, the event includes partnerships with various organizations providing families with additional resources and information about community services. Partners include H-E-B, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Beta Pi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc., Eduvention Mentoring and Counseling, Civic Heart Community Services, H-Town Angelz Social Group, Kinetic Corporate Wellness, Amir’s Tax Service, University of Houston, Eight Million Stories, Kona Ice, Harris County Public Health, Prairie View A&M University, Lone Star College Houston North, Revolution Soccer Complex, The Pink Spa and Lounge.

Families interested in enrolling students in pre-K through second grade at YES Prep North Rankin Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year can sign up for the new student lottery 24 hours a day through Feb. 18 at www.yesprep.org/sayYES. The school plans to add a grade every year to eventually serve pre-K through fifth grade.