Aldine ISD Kicks Off Summer Feeding Program With Community Celebration

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Aldine ISD, in partnership with No Kid Hungry Texas, hosted its third annual Summer Feeding Kickoff Event at Escamilla Elementary School on Monday, June 1, marking the official start of the district’s free summer meal program.

The event brought families together for a day filled with delicious food, fun activities, and community engagement while highlighting the important summer meal opportunities available to children across the district.

Through the program, children 18 and younger, as well as students with disabilities up to age 21, can receive healthy meals at no cost throughout the summer. Meals are provided through the Seamless Summer Option, a U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition program administered in Texas by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

For many children who rely on school meals during the academic year, summer feeding programs provide a consistent source of nutrition during the long break from school.

Child Nutrition Executive Director Susan D’Amico initiated the Summer Feeding Kickoff event to celebrate and promote the summer program. Organizing this event is no easy task and requires support from the wonderful partners that Aldine collaborates with. Reaching the third year is a significant achievement for her, the nutrition team, and the various organizations and individuals who have supported Aldine’s mission. 

D’Amico believes that the message conveyed by the kickoff event and the feeding sites to the Aldine community is simple: “We are here for you,” said D’Amico. “We understand the financial strain that families are experiencing due to rising food costs, and we are committed to providing support.”

Among those attending Monday’s event were U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia and State Rep. Armando Walle, an Aldine native, who visited with families and celebrated the district’s ongoing commitment to feeding students during the summer months.

Walle, who has supported the event since its inception, said the program reflects Aldine ISD’s longstanding commitment to family and community.

“Aldine ISD and the administration care about their students,” Walle said. “We’re in the heat of summer, and the doors are already open to our families in need. That shows the heart and love that Aldine has for our families. It’s good to see the dozens of families here to get fed.”

Summer can be one of the most challenging times for families facing food insecurity, particularly in Harris County, where one in four children experiences hunger. Without access to school meals, many families struggle to provide consistent nutrition for their children during the summer months.

Aldine ISD’s summer feeding program aims to help bridge that gap by ensuring children have access to meals while school is out. 

Families interested in locating summer meal sites can visit aldineisd.org for a complete list of locations and service times.

The district’s summer feeding program will continue throughout the summer break to help ensure children and teens in the Aldine community have access to the nutrition they need to thrive.