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.

Texas Hunger Initiative Summer Vistas

The Texas Hunger Initiative has acquired 15 VISTA associates who will begin their service immediately and serve through August 16th in 7 Texas communities (Del Rio, San Angelo, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, McAllen, and Waco).  The VISTAS primary responsibilities will be increasing participation in the summer meals feeding program through community organizing, outreach, and capacity building.  They will serve directly under churches or non-profit organizations including Daily Bread, Stewpot, CitySquare, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, the McLennan County Hunger Coalition, and the Tom Green County Hunger Initiative.

Through the National Corporation of Community Service THI has been able to allocate close to $24,000 to the summer associate program. In addition a partnership with Share Our Strength has provided another $30,000 in mini-grants to local community partners as well as provided promotional banners, posters, and fliers for the Summer Meal sites. 

Jeremy Everett - Spirituality and Food Conference, University Baptist Church Austin, TX

Jeremy Everett, executive director for the Texas Hunger Initiative (THI), speaks on his personal encounters with poverty and hunger, the work of THI, the state of hunger in Texas, and the implications of Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 for Christians in poverty work.

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.