Kick-Off for Huddle Against Hunger: Houston Texans and Kroger Team with Houston Food Bank to Educate Students on Issues of Hunger

School curriculum in English and Spanish providing educational resources about fighting hunger in our communities returns for another season 

The Houston Texans not only work as a team on the field but in the community as well. In partnership with Houston Food Bank and Kroger, the Texans are working to bring awareness surrounding the issues of hunger and the importance of nutrition.  The program was founded to create more empathy and understanding among students about food insecurity, hunger and the impact we can have by stepping up to help these causes.

After a successful first season in 2019, Huddle Against Hunger,a free curriculum designed to provide educational resources on the topics of hunger and poverty to elementary, middle and high school students, returns this year. 

To kick-off the 2020 Huddle Against Hunger program and to celebrate new presenting partner Kroger, TORO, Houston Texans Cheerleaders and a Houston Texans Legend surprised one teacher in Aldine ISD with a very special surprise from Kroger in recognition of her more than 20 years in education and her leadership in the Huddle Against Hunger program at her school.  

Mrs. Kaimiccia Patterson has been a teacher for 20 years and is a huge champion for her students. She has been teaching at Plummer Middle School for 15 of the 16 years that the school has been open.  She is a History Skill Specialist overseeing 8 teachers PLUS classes of her own. Patterson is vital to student life at Plummer Middle School. She organizes all student events — proms, dances, and incentives for students/teachers.  On campus, Patterson is known as a “no nonsense” and very strict teacher.  She expects a lot and therefore brings out the best in her students. In addition to teaching, she is a mother of 2 young men — one son recently married, and the other son just started high school this year. 

“As an organization, we are working hard to address hunger and food insecurity in our community. The Huddle Against Hunger platform helps build awareness of the challenges our neighbors face every day in hopes of inspiring others to join us in the fight. Through the generous support of our friends at Kroger and in partnership with the Houston Foodbank, we are proud to provide these educational resources to Houston-area kids and their families,” said Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes. “The Texans, Kroger and the Houston Food Bank are dedicated to helping our community tackle hunger so that all Houstonians can reach their full potential.”

Despite the unique landscape of school this year, Huddle Against Hunger is now available for download online.  The program includes a curriculum designed for all ages which provides activities to better understand why there is a need for food assistance and helps explain how youth are especially impacted when they lack enough nutritious food on a regular basis.  Kids who lack access to nutritious food are more likely to have trouble focusing in school and fall behind.   

“The fight against hunger is something I am passionate about, and Huddle Against Hunger not only helps us educate our future leaders as we work to end hunger in our communities, but also raises awareness within the community on just how critical this mission is,” said Joe Kelley, president of Kroger, Houston. “As a local grocer, we have a responsibility to make sure every family has access to healthy food, and that’s why I’m thankful for our close partnership with the Houston Food Bank and Houston Texans to provide this program.  As part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative, we have a goal to wipe out hunger in our communities by 2025, and educating the youth of today is the next step in reaching that goal.”

This year’s Huddle Against Hunger program includes both in-the-classroom curriculum and for schooling at home, a field trip to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank or virtual classroom visit option, Texans giveaways, and certificates for students who complete the program. The curriculum includes activities and discussion sheets on the consequences of hunger, activities such as obstacle courses that lead students in creative problem solving; discussion of Houston Food Bank programs specifically geared to assist students in need, hunger simulation exercises; nutritious recipes and more. 

While hunger and hunger relief can be complex topics, the information is presented in understandable and relatable discussions and activities. The curriculum was created by Houston Food Bank’s nutrition education department with collaboration from the Houston Texans.

“The Huddle Against Hunger curriculum is more important than ever given the impact of COVID-19 upon the community and the increased need for food assistance,” says Brian Greene, president/CEO of Houston Food Bank. “We know that Huddle Against Hunger sparks deeper thinking among students, to think more inclusively about those around them and how issues such as hunger impact individuals and communities as a whole. It is true that knowledge is power, and from awareness comes action and we are hoping that the program will inspire our youth to think critically and become advocates for important issues such as hunger and education.”

Registration for Huddle Against Hunger is now open. Schools can sign up by visiting www.HoustonFoodBank.org/HuddleAgainstHunger or by contacting the food bank at 832.369.9223 or [email protected].