Nonpro t
BY LIZZY SPANGLER
Kids’ Meals, a nonpro t delivering food to preschool-aged children in Harris and Mont- gomery counties, is on a mission to wipe out childhood hunger in Houston, Chief Operations and Program O cer John Day said. “That’s our No. 1 goal, and that’s something that I strive for every day,” Day said. “And if you said to me, ‘What is your goal for [the] number of children to feed?’ I’m never satis ed with where we are today. It’s never enough until it’s zero.” The big picture The nonpro t, which started in 2006, has a 56-ZIP code service area, Day said. During the school year, Kids’ Meals generally serves children ages 0-5, and when school is out or during the summer break, all children ages 0-18 are fed. To qualify for meal delivery, families must have a child between 0-5 years old and also meet the requirements for the National School Lunch Program. Day said the nonpro t can typically get a family on a route within two days of an application being lled out. Each meal, which has an all-in cost of $2, includes a sandwich, a snack, a fruit and a drink, Day said. Kids’ Meals serves around 15,000 kids a day. “So the support of our donors, our volun- teers—we ask people to share our story, follow us online, share our online posts—all of that is integral to us being able to keep doing what we do every day,” Day said. Looking ahead This past June, the nonpro t broke ground on a new 50,000-square-foot building in Harris County that will provide additional warehouse and volunteer space to help it reach its goal of feeding 26,000 children a day by 2031. The building is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2025, Day said. “We’ve got to be there to support [these kids] and ensure that we are taking care—every single day—of our future,” Day said. “That’s what we’re doing. ... We’ve got to make sure that they’re prepared. And that starts with proper nutrition as a child.” Kids’ Meals helps feed children across Harris, Montgomery counties
Across Harris and Montgomery counties, Kids’ Meals made 1.47 million meals and served 9,334 children in the rst and second quarters of 2024.
PHOTOS COURTESY KIDS’ MEALS
Kids' Meals impact, rst and second quarter of 2024
Harris County Montgomery County
Meals made and delivered
81,365
1,391,662
Preschool- aged children served
Kids’ Meals has a 56 ZIP code service area and serves around 15,000 children per day.
602
8,732
Families supported Value of in-kind donations Volunteer shifts Volunteer hours
477
5,402
$17,420
$1,086,297
1,459
12,174
36,522
4,377
Kids’ Meals generally serves children ages 0 5. When school is out, all children ages 0 18 are fed.
SOURCE: KIDS' MEALS COMMUNITY IMPACT
1488
W. CROSSTIMBERS ST.
GREENFIELD FOREST DR.
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GARDEN OAKS BLVD.
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1 330 Garden Oaks Blvd., Houston; 2 5517 FM 1488, Ste. E, Magnolia www.kidsmealsinc.org
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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