KINDER FOUNDATION GIFTS $1 MILLION TO
HOUSTON FOOD BANK TO FEED HOUSTONIANS IMPACTED BY COVID-19
(Donation continues foundation’s generous support of the non-profit)
HOUSTON – Kinder Foundation has made a crucial donation of $1 million to Houston Food Bank to assist in the monumental task of keeping fed those impacted by COVID-19.
As reports of COVID-19 filled the news, Houstonians and people around the globe rushed to stock their pantries. For many, that was not a difficult thing to do, but for those served by the Houston Food Bank, the panic was even greater. This population, almost by definition, does not have the ability or the means to have food reserves. Add job loss and school closures, and the impact has been profound, especially on this most-vulnerable population.
However, those in need of assistance now include not only pre-COVID clients but those who have never sought food assistance before. In response, Houston Food Bank has had to ramp up distribution to continue to meet the critical need caused by the pandemic. Currently, they are distributing at 150-200% pre-pandemic levels, which is 750,000 to 1 million pounds of food per day.
But they cannot respond to the need alone. While Houston Food Bank is considered essential, donors to the nation’s largest food bank, such as Kinder Foundation, are, themselves, essential to the non-profit organization.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous socio-economic impact upon the communities in which we work and live. Families living in poverty, the isolated elderly, people with disabilities as well as a growing number of recently unemployed are all facing desperate times,” says Brian Greene, president/CEO of Houston Food Bank. “In times like these, charitable organizations are relied on by the most vulnerable people in our communities, and we, in turn, rely on the support of our generous donors in order to provide hope in the form of food. This gift by Kinder Foundation is vital to our COVID reposnse.”
This donation is the latest gift to Houston Food Bank from Kinder Foundation, whose support goes back to 2008. They have previously supported the Hunger Can’t Wait capital campaign to purchase a new, larger facility as well as the expansion of the food bank’s Backpack Buddy program, which provides meals for at-risk children in after-school programs.
“Being able to feed yourself and your family is fundamental to the quality of your life,” states Nancy Kinder, President and CEO, Kinder Foundation. “We are fortunate to have the Houston Food Bank to provide hunger relief year-round. Our hope is that no one in Houston will go hungry. The Kinder Foundation is deeply proud to support the Houston Food Bank during this turbulent time.”
The mission of the Kinder Foundation is to support Greater Houston as a model city for economic opportunity and quality of life by providing transformational grants in the areas of urban green space, education and quality of life.
About the Kinder Foundation
The Kinder Foundation, a family foundation established in 1997 by Rich and Nancy Kinder of Houston, Texas, provides transformational grants that impact urban green space, education, and quality of life. More at www.kinderfoundation.org.
About the Houston Food Bank
Houston Food Bank’s mission is to provide food for better lives. Last year we provided access to 104 million nutritious meals in 18 counties in southeast Texas through our 1,500 community partners which includes food pantries, soup kitchens, social service providers and schools. We have a strong focus on healthy foods and fresh produce. In addition to distributing food, we provide services and connections to programs that address the root causes of hunger and are aimed at helping families achieve long-term stability, including nutrition education, job training, health management and help with securing state-funded assistance. We are a resource for individuals and families in times of hardship. We are a solution to food waste, working with grocery stores and growers to rescue food before it reaches landfills. In collaboration with our community, we advocate for policy change and promote dialogue on ways to increase access to food and to improve the lives of those we serve. Houston Food Bank works alongside our partner food banks in Montgomery County, Galveston Country, and Brazos Valley. Houston Food Bank is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Visit us online. Website: houstonfoodbank.org; Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehoustonfoodbank; Twitter: @houstonfoodbank; Instagram: @houstonfoodbank; Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/houstonfoodbank