Student Heroes
High School students have the opportunity to impact the community while developing leadership and project management skills for the workforce.
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Upcoming Sessions:
– Summer 1 Session: June 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2026
– Summer 2 Session: July 1st, 2026 to July 31st, 2026
– Fall 2026 session: August 29th, 2026 to December 31, 2026
– Spring 2027 session: January 18th, 2027 to May 17th, 2027
Mission:
The Student Heroes Mission is to combat food insecurity by empowering high school students to lead and organize volunteer efforts at the Houston Food Bank. Through in-person and virtual service, students will develop leadership skills while helping food-insecure communities. The program fosters compassionate leaders who understand the challenges of hunger and are dedicated to creating sustainable solutions.
Expectations:
– Commit One Year of Service to experience the full project management training.
– Pass Side Job and Project Leader Certification Quizzes to assist Experience Team with community needs
– Develop lifelong professional skills to enhance job and college applications
– Link to Code of Conduct
Student Heroes are the support leaders for our traditional volunteer production area. Students are given a specific time frame, known as a session, to complete 50 volunteer hours on their own schedule. Most students volunteer a full Saturday twice a month but students are allowed to volunteer for any shift that Volunteer Services has available that does not contradict their school schedule. Student Heroes are broken up into 3 groups to offer detailed training for students depending on their knowledge and skill level and help to the Volunteer Services Department Experience Team according to community needs.
1. Project Mentees
– Introductory crew for all Student Heroes
– Volunteer alongside regular volunteers and support project leaders by being a friendly and knowledgeable resource for new volunteers
– Attend workshops targeted towards personal development
2. Project Assistants
– Students who pass the Side Job Certification Quizzes and other completion metrics may advance to this crew
– Lead Side Jobs in all projects and maintain safety standards in the project areas
– Shadow and assist project leaders in preparation to lead projects in the future
– Attend workshops targeted towards leadership development
3. Project Experts
– Students who pass the project leader evaluations and other completion metrics may advance to the Leader Crew
– Lead and facilitate projects with supervision from experience leaders
– Train new students and work on specialized leadership tracks
– Access special volunteer opportunities within different departments
Join Student Heroes on Instagram!
Contact:
Nathan Ponce – Volunteer Liaison
Student Hero Requirements:
– Must be at least 15 years of age and attend a High School in the 18 service county area of the Houston Food Bank.
– Must be able to commit 50 volunteer hours per session with 25 hours being completed by the middle of each session.
– Must have a personal email account and cell phone number.
– Must have a desire to grow their leadership skills and willing to take steps to improve.
– Must represent the Houston Food Bank and Student Hero program in a positive manner.
Student Hero Summer Session Exceptions:
– Rising 9th Graders are eligible to apply as long as they meet all the above criteria.
– Summer is broken into 2 sessions. Each session has a 30 hour volunteer requirement. If a student chooses to participate in a full summer session, they must have 30 hours by July 1st to maintain their membership.
Student Hero Benefits Include:
– Develop skills and gain real life experience
– Leadership and professional development workshops
– Student Hero t-shirt and name tag
– School Credit and hours verification letters
– Student Hero Certificate (at the end of each completed session)
– Letter of Recommendation (after 100 hours of service)
– Special events and recognition awards
– Rewarding feeling from fighting hunger
– Building long lasting friendships
– Being a vital member of the Houston Food Bank family!
Student Heroes Program
Thank you for your interest in Joining the Student Heroes Program. Please ensure you have reviewed the Requirements & Benefits tab before starting an application. If the desired session application is not posted please check back during the dates below. If you are a continuing student, you will receive an application with your End-of-Session Application.
- Summer 2026 Applications: Opens March 1st to April 30th
- Fall 2026 Applications: Opens June 1st to June 30th
- Spring 2027 Applications: Opens November 1st to November 30th
To learn more about the Student Heroes Program, please explore this website, speak with a current Student Hero on the production floor about their experience, or email the Leadership team.
Thank you for your commitment to service and your interest in growing as a leader.
This page includes all major dates, orientation details, and instructions for students who are continuing or returning to the program after a break.
General Session Timeline
Spring 2026
- Session Starts: January 19, 2026
- Midway Mark: March 19, 2026
- Session Ends: May 17, 2026
Summer 2026
- Summer 1 Session: June 1 – June 30, 2026
- Midway Mark for Full Summer Participation: June 30, 2026
- Summer 2 Session: July 1 – July 31, 2026
Fall 2026
- Session Start: August 29, 2026
- Midway Mark: October 31, 2026
- Session Ends: December 31, 2026
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Orientation Dates
Summer 2026
- Returning Students: May 23 or May 24, 2026
- New Students: May 30 or May 31, 2026
Fall 2026
- Returning Students: August 22, 2026
- New Students: August 39, 2026
Spring 2027
- Returning Students: January 9, 2026
- New Students: January 16, 2026
Orientation registration is required for all students.
– Returning students will register through the End-of-Session Application
– New students will register through a separate orientation form provided after acceptance
– Registration deadlines will be clearly communicated on the applicable forms
– Orientation is in-person only — no virtual options or make-up sessions are offered. Please plan accordingly.
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Application Windows
- Summer 2026 Applications (New Students): Opens March 26, 2026
- Fall 2026 Applications (New Students):Opens June 20, 2026
- Spring 2027 Applications (New Students): Opens October 1st, 2026
Continuing to the Next Session
You do not need to reapply if you:
- Are an active Student Hero in the current session
- Complete the required hours
- Register and attend orientation for the upcoming session
To remain active, you must:
- Submit the End-of-Session Application, which includes orientation registration
- Submit before the deadline for each session
Important:
The End-of-Session Application is required for all students, whether or not you’re continuing.
This form:
- Confirms your crew placement (if continuing)
- Keeps the roster accurate
- Ensures you receive your End-of-Session Certificate
Failure to complete the form may result in removal from the roster and ineligibility for orientation or recognition.
Returning After an Inactive Period
If you’re taking a break or pausing your participation, you’re welcome to return — just follow the steps below:
Before stepping away:
Complete the End-of-Session Application and indicate that you’d like to return in a future session.
If you didn’t submit the form or didn’t express interest in returning:
You must email the Membership Chair to request a Returning Student Hero Orientation Application.
This application will assess:
- The last date you volunteered
- The crew you’re interested in rejoining
- Your orientation registration date
- Whether you submitted your last End-of-Session Form
- What motivated you to return to the program
Important:
- Returning Student Orientation is in-person only — no virtual option is available
- You must be available on the designated date — no make-up sessions are offered
Student Hero Email: studentheroes@houstonfoodbank.org