As summer vacation begins and school cafeterias close, the Houston Food Bank is stepping in to ensure that children don’t go hungry during the break. Beginning June 2, the organization is launching its annual Summer Food Service Program, which provides free, nutritious meals to children across the Houston area.
The program serves all children aged 18 and younger, as well as students with disabilities up to age 21. This initiative is vital for many families who rely on school meals during the academic year and now face a seasonal gap in food access.
This summer, the Houston Food Bank expects to distribute approximately 800,000 meals averaging around 10,000 per day at 158 locations throughout the region. Most meals will be provided at congregate sites, where children eat together in community spaces. However, two designated rural grab-and-go locations in Sealy and Brenham will also be available, offering a more flexible option for families with limited transportation or time.
“For the nearly two million food-insecure children in Texas, consistent access to nutritious meals is critical,” said Jourdan Stansberry, senior manager of Education Programs at the Houston Food Bank. “We’re proud to help bridge that gap through both schoolyear and summer programs.” The grab-and-go model allows families to pick up bundled meals that cover multiple days, reducing the need for daily travel. In these cases, parents or guardians may be asked to present proof of school enrollment if picking up meals without their child present.
To find the nearest meal distribution site, families can use several options: call the Houston Food Bank at 713-223-3700, email [email protected], visit houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/kids-cafe, call 2-1-1, or search using the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meal Site Map. With food insecurity still affecting many households and federal support programs seeing recent reductions, local community efforts like these are more essential than ever. The Houston Food Bank continues to serve as a critical lifeline for families during the summer months, offering nourishment and support when it's needed most.
