July 11, 2024 – Houston – Kids’ Meals, Inc., a Houston nonprofit on a mission to end childhood hunger, is celebrating its 18th anniversary this July in a special way: reaching a milestone of delivering over 15 million lifetime meals. The nonprofit’s mission has been the same since 2006 – delivering free, healthy meals to the doorsteps of Greater Houston’s hungriest preschool-aged children – but has experienced unprecedented growth since.
Kids’ Meals started with two delivery vans to service four zip codes in 2006 and now leverages 22 delivery vans and five times the original number of volunteers to serve 56 zip codes. The expansion has added up to 15.3 million meals served to children facing debilitating hunger, while in a critical development period and who are too young to access school-based free meal programs. The organization is on track to deliver a record-setting 2.7 million meals just this year alone.
The increased scale and need led Kids’ Meals to outgrow its existing space and to embark on its Building Hope capital campaign for a new, 50,000 square-foot, purpose-built facility, which broke ground earlier this year and is slated to open in mid-2025.
“For 18 years, we have been a beacon of hope, delivering over 15 million free, healthy meals for families unsure where their next meal will come from otherwise,” said Beth Harp, Kids’ Meals, Inc. CEO. “Our mission to end childhood hunger in Houston and beyond remains steadfast, and we’re grateful for the support of our community. Together, we’re making a difference—one meal at a time.”
The generosity of countless donors and volunteers continues to be a critical part of the organization’s growth and success. If interested in donating or volunteering to support Kids’ Meals continued growth, please visit the website. Additionally, families seeking Kids’ Meals’ services can reach out here.
About Kids’ Meals:
In 2024, Kids’ Meals will deliver more than 2.7 million free, healthy meals to the homes of hungry preschool-aged children who face debilitating hunger due to extreme poverty. Since 2006, Kids’ Meals has delivered more than 14 million meals and connected families to vital wraparound resources to help end the cycle of poverty. Kids’ Meals is the only program of its kind in the nation delivering an average of 9,869 free, healthy meals every weekday to 56 Houston-area zip codes. Visit www.kidsmealsinc.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Media Contact:
Lauren Blalock