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Food Program For Kids Offered By the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent In Texas (and anywhere for that matter), the reality is that child hunger is more common than you would think. Thousands of children across our state face food insecurity, meaning they don't always know where their next meal will come from. This issue is critical when school is out for breaks such as holidays. For many students, free school meals are their primary source of nutrition. To help bridge the gap in our local areas, the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent  offers solutions like our Kids Weekend Meals Program  to do our part in helping heal the hurt of hunger for Texas children. Now, Let’s Try To Unpack Child Hunger in Texas… Texas has one of the highest rates of child hunger in the country. According to Feeding Texas , nearly 1 in 4 children lives in a household without enough food. This highlights the importance of programs that provide constant access to free food for kids. Without reliable meals, kids face not only hunger issues but also potential impacts on their physical and cognitive development. The Impact of Hunger on Children Hunger impacts nearly every aspect of a child’s development and well-being. Kids who face food insecurity are at higher risk for developmental delays, as a lack of proper nutrition can stunt physical & cognitive growth. They are also more likely to experience behavioral issues, have trouble concentrating, and face long-term health problems due to weakened immune systems.  This is why efforts like the Kids Weekend Meals Program  matter, providing relief to children who might otherwise go without food on weekends and holidays. Kids Weekend Meals Program Helps Hungry Kids in Texas The Kids Weekend Meals   Program  at the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent addresses the needs of food-insecure children by providing bags filled with nutritious, easy-to-prepare , and non-perishable foods. Bags are distributed discreetly  to students identified as at risk of hunger by school principals, administrators, staff, and parent liaisons. How The Kids Weekend Meals Program Works (in Three Easy  Steps)  Identification of Need School staff work closely with the Food Bank to identify children who may be facing food insecurity. These students are often enrolled in free or reduced meal programs and are known to struggle with access to food at home. Food Distribution Every Friday, gallon-sized Ziploc bags filled with food are discreetly distributed to these students by being  put into the child’s personal backpack by their teacher , ensuring they have meals over the weekend when school-provided breakfasts and lunches are unavailable. Discreet and Dignified Support The distribution process is handled in a way that ensures children feel no embarrassment about receiving help. Schools work hard to make sure participation in the program is kept private, removing any potential stigma. Foods provided are designed to be kid-friendly, non-perishable, and easy to prepare. Examples include single-serving cereals, canned meals, snacks, and fruit cups. The goal is to make sure children have enough food to carry them through the weekend until they can access school meals again. For more information, contact Anna Celum at 361-578-0591 or anna@tfbgc.org . Food Bank Resources for Families  in Need The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent  is a resource for families in south Texas who are struggling to feed children. For families facing difficulties with finances, knowing that their children will have access to food offers relief. The program’s impact goes beyond just feeding kids because it creates a safety net for families in the region who might not have other options. With community help, the Food Bank helps children receive the support they need without  overwhelming families. How You Can Help If you're looking for a way to help fight child hunger  in the Golden Crescent, consider making a donation to the Food Bank. Every dollar helps, and a $200 donation provides a child with weekend food for an entire school year.  No Child Should Go Hungry The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent is committed to making sure that children in need have access to reliable nutrition, even when they’re not at school. Our Kids Weekend Meals Program is a lifeline for families and children who need it the most and we are proud to provide this resource to communities. To learn more about the Kids Weekend Meals Program, contact Program Administrator Anna Celum at anna@tfbgc.org  or 361-578-0591 . Together, we can move mountains in helping fight child hunger in Texas.

For more than 35 years, the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (FBGC) in Victoria, Texas, has worked to address hunger in the community. Established in 1986, the organization serves an 11-county area  that includes Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Wharton, and Victoria . By partnering with over 100 agencies, FBGC distributes food, educates the public about nutrition, advocates for hunger relief, and supports residents across a 9,963-square-mile region . One of its programs, the Senior Box Program , helps meet the needs of older residents who face food challenges. Hungry Senior Citizens in Texas Seniors often face barriers that make accessing food more difficult, such as living on fixed incomes, health-related restrictions, or limited transportation options. These factors can lead to food insecurity, which affects both health and well-being. In response, FBGC’s Senior Box Program provides monthly food supplies to seniors who qualify based on age and income. What is the Senior Box Program? The Senior Box Program , part of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), provides a monthly box of food to eligible seniors. The food is USDA-approved and includes canned fruits, vegetables, meats, cereal, and cheese. These items supplement the diets of participants, offering basic nutrition support. Food Eligibility Requirements To participate in the program, applicants must meet two  key requirements. Age:  Applicants must be at least 60 years old. Income Level:  Applicants must meet income guidelines based on household size and the Federal Poverty Level. For example, a one-person household must earn $19,578 or less annually, and a two-person household must earn $26,572 or less. The program is available in the following counties: Calhoun, DeWitt, Gonzales, Jackson, Matagorda, Refugio and Victoria. It serves households of varying sizes, and eligibility limits are adjusted annually based on federal guidelines. How to Apply In-Person Applications Only Applications must be completed in person. Seniors in Victoria or nearby areas can visit the FBGC office at 3809 E. Rio Grande  Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Same-Day Assistance If an applicant qualifies, they can receive their food box the day they apply. For those living outside Victoria, applications can be submitted at distribution locations in their respective counties on designated days after 10:00 a.m. CALHOUN Calhoun County Fairgrounds 186 Henry Barber Way, Port Lavaca 3rd Tuesday 8:30-11:00am DEWITT (must choose one location) Calvary Baptist Church 102 Warn Street, Cuero Yorktown Assistance Ministry 123 N. Church, Yorktown 4th Tuesday 8:30-11:00am 1st Wednesday 9:00-11:00am GONZALES Right Choice Community Hall 719 Hwy 90E, Waelder 2nd Friday 8:30-11:00am JACKSON Shelby Park 104 Shelby Park Road, Edna 1st Friday 8:30-11:00am MATAGORDA Nichols Street Church of Christ 1200 Nichols Avenue, Bay City 2nd Wednesday 8:30-11:00am REFUGIO Refugio Fairgrounds at Padilla Hall 246 Fairgrounds Road, Refugio 4th Wednesday 8:30-11:00am The Program’s Impact The Senior Box Program addresses an immediate need by providing food to older adults who might otherwise go without.  Promotes Health By offering essential food items, it supports participants in managing their diets and maintaining physical well-being. Reduces Financial Strain The program helps participants stretch their budgets by offsetting grocery costs, freeing up funds for other expenses like medications or housing. Supports Independence Access to food allows seniors to rely less on others, helping them maintain control over their daily lives. Community Efforts We work with the Texas Department of Agriculture  and other partners to provide the Senior Box Program to eligible seniors. These partnerships provide the funding, resources, and organizational support needed to operate the program. Addressing Hunger in the Golden Crescent of Texas Food insecurity remains a challenge, but FBGC is committed to reducing hunger for seniors and others in need. Through programs like the Senior Box Program, the organization meets needs while advocating for long-term solutions to hunger. Contact Us To Take the Next Step! If you or someone you know could benefit from the Senior Box Program , consider visiting the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent  or learning more about our hungry senior citizens program. By working together, the community can help ensure that no senior in the Golden Crescent goes without food. For more details, visit the FBGC office at 3809 E. Rio Grande, Victoria, TX  or call 361-578-0591 during regular business hours.