Deion Sanders Partners with Todd Staples to Help Alleviate Hunger in Texas Children

Sanders with the THI staff

Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has lent his support to Todd Staples, the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, to help promote the Summer Meals Feeding Program.  At Duncanville High School on July 6th, 2011 Sanders and Staples, along with Duncanville Mayor David Green and USDA Regional Administrator Bill Ludwig were all present to discuss the high importance of nutritional programs for needy children.  Currently Texas has the second highest food insecurity rate among children. Sanders commented, "Children should not have to worry about when or if they're going eat. That's why I partnered with Commissioner Staples and the Texas Department of Agriculture's Summer Nutrition Programs, because kids have enough challenges to overcome and hunger should not be one of them." In the video below Sanders and Staples discuss the importance of Summer Meals.

Breakfast in the Classroom in Abilene Texas

In the video above Abilene teachers, principals, and school staff comment on the success and effects of the Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program.  BIC aims to take breakfast from school cafeterias and serve it in classrooms to ensure that every student starts the school day with a healthy meal.  Many students often miss out on breakfast because they arrive at school late or are afraid of the social stigma that accompanies eating breakfast in the school cafeteria.  According to the most recent data, only 56% of eligible Texas students participate in the free breakfast program.