This summer, Aldine ISD, No Kid Hungry Texas, and Texas Representative Armando Walle (District 140) are joining forces to combat child hunger with an exciting and supportive community event. The Summer Feeding Kickoff Event, set for Monday, June 3, 2024, at Escamilla Elementary, promises to be a fun-filled day designed to raise awareness about crucial summer meal programs that ensure kids stay nourished when school is out.

Event Highlights

The event will feature a range of family-friendly activities to delight children and parents alike. Attendees can enjoy a petting zoo, marvel at clowns and dancers on stilts, explore a local fire truck, and even try out a bike that makes yogurt. Most importantly, local kids will receive delicious, no-cost meals, reinforcing the community's commitment to battling food insecurity.

Special Guests

The event will include welcome remarks and interviews with key figures in the fight against childhood hunger:

State Representative Armando Walle, District 140

Stacie Sanchez Hare, No Kid Hungry Texas Director

Susan D’Amico, Executive Director of Child Nutrition Services, Aldine ISD

Gina Foroi, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement, Aldine ISD

Event Details

When: Monday, June 3, 2024, from 11 AM to 1:30 PM

Welcome remarks: 11:10 AM

Where: Escamilla Elementary School, 5241 E Mt Houston Rd, Houston, TX 77093

The Importance of Summer Meal Programs

Summer is often the most challenging time for the 1 in 4 children in Harris County who face food insecurity. School meal programs, which provide essential nutrition, are unavailable during the summer months, leaving many families struggling to fill the gap. Free summer meal programs, such as those offered by Aldine ISD, are vital in ensuring that children continue to receive healthy meals. Despite these efforts, many barriers still prevent these programs from reaching all the children in need.

Advocating for Long-term Solutions

Representative Walle will highlight the importance of these summer meal programs and discuss potential policy solutions, including the Summer EBT program. This new federal initiative provides $120 in grocery benefits per child to eligible families, but Texas has yet to opt into the program. By implementing Summer EBT alongside traditional meal programs and rural non-congregate meals, Texas lawmakers have a significant opportunity to address the ongoing issue of summer hunger more effectively.

About No Kid Hungry Texas

No Kid Hungry Texas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending child hunger. They partner with schools and community organizations to connect kids to meals and advocate for policies that improve child nutrition.

Join the Fight Against Summer Hunger

This Summer Feeding Kickoff Event is not only a celebration but also a critical step towards ensuring that no child in our community goes hungry during the summer months. Come out to support this vital cause, enjoy a day of family fun, and learn more about how you can help make a difference.

For more information, visit map.feedingamerica.org/