Fighting Childhood Hunger

This summer, we were glad to be able to help hungry youngsters across Texas by providing weekend food bags. Filled with nutritious meals and snacks, the bags were tucked into kids’ backpacks on Friday afternoons to help families get through the weekend when the kids don’t have access to free and reduced-cost lunches. When we heard there was no program to help kids during the holiday break, we really wanted to do something.

This winter, we expanded the backpack program to help kids in the Valley, East Texas, and West Texas over the holiday break. Each biodegradable bag was stocked with healthy food such as granola bars, canned lasagna, fruit cups, cereal, peanut butter and other non-perishable items. The bags were distributed through the Boys & Girls Club in Odessa and Casa de Amigos in Midland.

Augie Fernandes, executive director of the West Texas Food Bank, was grateful for the donation from First Choice Power. “This is our first program to provide meals to kids in need during the holiday school break,” he said. “Thanks to First Choice Power, children in need will be able to enjoy their holiday break a little more, knowing that they don’t have to worry about where their food is coming from.”

One of our Food First programs goals is to distribute 1 million meals to families across the state, and we’re getting closer each day! In fact, First Choice Power is even matching your donations of food or money to your local food bank. Texas ranks as the second hungriest state, but together, we can make a difference for our friends and neighbors in need.