What You May Not Know.
- Over 1 million children live in food-insecure homes in Texas households!
- Texas is 1 out of 15 states with the highest levels of food insecurity.
- Prior to the pandemic, 22% of children in Texas lived in food-insecure households, exceeding the United States rate of 13.9 %.
Unfortunately, these children go to school hungry. Academic success is elusive when children are living with food-insecurity households in poverty. Research shows children who go to school hungry are more likely to have challenges succeeding academically, socially, and emotionally with increased susceptibility to medical conditions including anemia and asthma to name a few.
Fortunately, the free and reduced school breakfast and lunch plans help address this problem but what about after school?
We know school meals are essential in combating hunger. We focus on helping establish school food pantries for combatting food insecurity and zero waste.
A school food pantry can accept, store, and distribute donated and leftover food to students. The purpose of a school food pantry is to reduce food waste at the school through the distribution of surplus food items to students for later consumption.
The implementation of a School Food Pantry is just one example of reducing food insecurity, as these children often live in poverty-stricken food dessert neighborhoods with abundant fast food but little access to healthy fruits and vegetable options.
Partner Organization
Rise Against Hunger is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies.
Food for Families allows the community to bring a little joy into the homes of Katy ISD students and their families. Campuses identify students for the program, and Partners in Education collects donations from the community and corporate partners.