Curriculum designed to provide information on hunger and poverty in schools kicks off September 17.
The Houston Texans not only work as a team on the field but in the community as well. In partnership with Houston Food Bank, the Texans work to bring awareness and solutions to the issue of hunger and nutrition. The latest collaboration is Huddle Against Hunger, a free curriculum designed to provide information on hunger and poverty to elementary, middle and high school students.
The program will have its official launch on September 17 at the Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall, as one of the first classrooms to have completed the in-class curriculum will do a tour and volunteer shift at the food bank. They will also be surprised by several Houston Texans players, Lady Texans, TORO and Texans Cheerleaders. The tour begins at 9:30 am, and at 10 am, students will watch a brief video and then be surprised by the players. The “team” will run through a breakaway banner and balloon arch on their way to the volunteer activity.
The Houston Texans and Houston Food Bank have created this partnership to create more empathy and understanding among students about those who experience hunger and the impact of hunger.
“With a mission of being Champions for Youth, this program is just one example of the work the Houston Texans Foundation is doing in the community to help youth in our area reach their maximum potential,” says Jamey Rootes, president of the Houston Texans. “We believe in the mission of the Houston Food Bank and have donated $2 million to support efforts to make sure youth in our area have food on the table so they can concentrate on their #1 job – getting an education and having fun.”
Huddle Against Hunger includes a curriculum designed for all ages which provides activities to better understand why there is a need for food assistance and helps explain how youth are especially impacted when they lack enough nutritious food on a regular basis. Kids who do not have enough food and enough nutritious food are likely to have trouble focusing in school and fall behind.
The Huddle Against Hunger program includes in-the-classroom curriculum, a field trip to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank, Texans giveaways, and certificates for students who complete the program. The curriculum includes activities and discussion sheets on the consequences of hunger; activities such as obstacle courses that lead students in creative problem solving; discussion of Houston Food Bank programs specifically geared to assist students in need; hunger simulation exercises; nutritious recipes and more.
While hunger and hunger relief can be complex topics, the information is presented in understandable and relatable discussions and activities. The curriculum was created by Houston Food Bank’s nutrition education department with collaboration from the Houston Texans.
“We know that Huddle Against Hunger will spark deeper thinking among students, to think more inclusively about those around them and how issues such as hunger impact individuals and communities as a whole,” says Brian Greene, president/CEO of Houston Food Bank. “It is true that knowledge is power, and from awareness comes action and we are hoping that the program will inspire our youth to think critically and become advocates for important issues such as hunger and education.”
Registration for Huddle Against Hunger is now open. Schools can sign up by visiting www.HoustonFoodBank.org/HuddleAgainstHunger or by contacting the food bank at 832.369.9223 or huddleagainsthunger@houstonfoodbank.org.