Texas Leaders Shows Support

It’s been a busy fall season at the Houston Food Bank, with visits from a number of special guests. Cecilia Abbott, First Lady of Texas, honored the Food Bank with a well-timed visit coinciding with the end of September, Hunger Action Month. Mrs. Abbott  talked about her visits to several food banks in Texas over recent weeks and her goal to encourage Texans throughout the State to volunteer – especially in food banks.  Ms. Abbot toured the facility with HFB President and CEO Brian Greene and HFB Past Board Chair John Ragan, Exec VP & President, Gulf Coast Region, NRG. She expressed particular interest in our innovative Food for Change Programs, on-site Emergency Food Pantry, and use of solar panels, donated by NRG’s Green Mountain Energy and she presented a check in support to reduce hunger among children and their families in Texas.   

On October 13^th, U.S. Senator John Cornyn toured the Food Bank and introduced and presented the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, his new criminal justice legislative initiative. Built on Texas reforms which have reduced crime and saved taxpayers more than $2 billion, this bill includes, among other reforms, work/education and job training provisions which are in line with the Food Bank's Serving for Success program. 

Finally, November 10^th, the Houston Consular Ladies Club returned to the Houston Food Bank to volunteer in honor of Citizenship Month. Thirty-four ladies representing ten nations joined Houston’s First Lady Kathy Hubbard in volunteering to assemble Backpack Buddy bags. Together they made bags for 720 backpacks, providing some 4,320 nutritious meals!  In addition to their time and service commitment, the Houston Consular Ladies Club donated to Houston Food Bank to help us continue the fight against hunger.