Texas Hunger Initiative on KWTX

Jonathan Lewis, Summer Meals Specialists for the Texas Hunger Initiative, and Cliff Reese, WISD Child Nutrition Services Director, speaks on the importance of the Summer Meals program on the KWTX morning news:    Texas Hunger Initiative Interview

Texas Hunger Initiative Presents $30,000 check to Houston ISD for its work on Breakfast in the Classroom

Jeremy Everett, Executive Director of THI and Bill Ludwig, Regional
Admin USDA present a check on behalf of Share Our Strength to Houston ISD

82% of Houston ISD students are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program.  Prior to the implementation of the Breakfast in the Classroom program only 30% of HISD elementary school students were eating breakfast.  That number has risen to around 80% and even as high as 95% in some schools.  HISD middle schools have seen their participation rates double and even triple in some schools.  On May 12th the Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) presented a $30,000 check on behalf of Share our Strength's "No Kid Hungry" campaign to help expand the Breakfast in the Classroom program into HISD High Schools.  THI executive director Jeremy Everett commented that HISD has been a "pioneer in Texas at a time when we really need school districts and families to advocate for hungry children."
       In the video below Brian Giles, senior food services administrator for HISD, comments on the successful implementation and effects of the Breakfast in the Classroom Program.

SON Ministries - a great model for faith based poverty work

Serving our Neighbor (SON) ministries is a faith based non-profit organization in Hilliard, Ohio.  They partner with local churches and businesses to help families transition out of poverty.  Along with connecting individuals and families to outside resources, they run a summer meals feeding program, community education classes, and offer tutoring and homework help in local schools.  For more information visit their facebook page.

Texas Senator Eddie Lucio Speaks on his hunger related bills at the Texas Food Policy Roundtable

Senator Lucio's has proposed a bill to the senate (which has passed and is awaiting the house) that aims to aid communities with schools that have 50% or more students that qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.  He has also proposed legislation to combat the fact that the cost of nutritious foods has skyrocketed while junk food remains relatively cheap.

The Texas Food Policy Roundtable (TFPRT) is a group of individuals and organizations who advocate for food policy that promotes food security in Texas.  For more information on TFPRT, including how to get involved, visit their website.