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As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we are proud to recognize the incredible individuals and groups who give their time, energy, and compassion to support our mission. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and their dedication helps make our work possible each and every day.

From sorting and packing food to distributing fresh produce at our food fairs, assisting in the garden, and welcoming neighbors with kindness and care, our volunteers have made a meaningful impact across our community throughout the years. Every hour served helps bring nourishment, hope, and dignity to families facing food insecurity.

Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable contributions of our volunteers over the past few months:

Students from Episcopal High School volunteering at our Food Fair at The Orange Show

January:

In January, a total of 157 volunteers generously donated their time, amounting to an impressive 477 hours of service. Among these dedicated individuals, standout groups included St. Pius X High School and Episcopal High School, who volunteered 4 days of the month, giving a total of 153 hours!

Students from Second Baptist High School washing produce collected from the garden.

February:

February was another wonderful month of volunteering, with 93 volunteers stepping up to the plate and dedicating a total of 314 hours. We welcomed incredible teams from Regeneron and Precision Drilling to the garden, Phillips 66 and Hines gave 51 hours of their time at our Food Fairs, and DT Midstream assisted at our monthly Second Servings distribution. 

Volunteers from TechnipFMC hard at work weeding!

March:

As spring approached, the momentum continued, with 183 volunteers rallying together to provide support where it was needed most. These dedicated individuals contributed 586 hours of service, with standout groups including Second Baptist High School, TechnipFMC, and the incredible volunteers from The Church of Latter Day Saints.

Thanks to Gartner for showing up, even in the rain, to make sure our clients get the food they need.

Overall:

In the first quarter of 2026, we have been fortunate to receive the support of 433 volunteers who have collectively donated an astounding 1,377 hours of their time. Their efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and families facing food insecurity, providing them with nourishment, hope, and dignity.

This National Volunteer Month, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every volunteer who has contributed to our cause this year and every year before. Your kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication inspire us all to continue working towards a hunger-free future for our community.

To learn more about how you can get involved with Target Hunger and make a difference in the lives of those in need, visit our volunteer page or reach out to our Volunteer Manager. Together, we can create lasting change and build a brighter tomorrow for all!

The Hidden Costs of Summer for Families Facing Food Insecurity

A mother and her son attending the first Summer Breakfast and Lunch Distribution of 2024.

Summer is often celebrated as a season of relaxation and fun, but for many families facing food insecurity, it brings a series of financial challenges that can be overwhelming. The absence of school meals, increased utility bills, childcare costs, and potential disaster expenses all contribute to a heavy financial burden. At Target Hunger, we understand these struggles and are committed to helping our community through initiatives like our Summer Breakfast & Lunch Program presented by ExxonMobil.

Understanding the Summer Financial Burden

For families already struggling to make ends meet, summer can be a particularly difficult time. Several factors contribute to this increased financial strain:

Higher Electricity Bills:

As temperatures soar, so do electricity bills. Keeping a home cool becomes essential, especially for families with young children, elderly members, or those with health conditions. The cost of running AC units can significantly increase household expenses, making it harder for families to allocate funds for other necessities.

Replacing School Meals:

During the school year, many children from low-income families rely on free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs. When school is out, parents must find ways to replace these meals, adding an extra financial burden. The cost of providing additional meals at home can strain already tight budgets, leading to difficult choices between food and other essential expenses.

Childcare for Working Parents:

For working parents, summer presents the challenge of finding affordable childcare. Without the structure of the school day, parents must arrange for care or supervision of their children, which can be expensive.

Potential Disaster Expenses:

Summer also brings the risk of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and extreme heat waves in Houston. These events can result in unexpected expenses for repairs, temporary housing, and replacing lost or damaged belongings. Families living paycheck to paycheck often do not have the savings to cover these emergency costs, exacerbating their financial insecurity.

Target Hunger’s Summer Breakfast & Lunch Program

Some of the items families received at our first Summer Breakfast & Lunch Distribution.

We are acutely aware of the additional pressures summer places on families facing food insecurity. To help alleviate some of these burdens, we have our Summer Breakfast & Lunch Program. This initiative is designed to support families by providing essential food items during the summer months.

Throughout June and July, Target Hunger will offer three distributions of kid-friendly breakfast and lunch foods. This Program aims to fill the gap left by the absence of school meals, ensuring that children have access to nutritious food even when school is out. The distributions will include items such as cereal, milk, fruit, fixings to make sandwiches, and snacks, which are easy for children to prepare and enjoy.

By reducing the stress and financial burden of providing additional meals, our Summer Breakfast & Lunch Program helps parents focus on other critical needs. Ensuring that children receive proper nutrition during the summer supports their overall health and well-being, preparing them to return to school ready to learn and thrive.

As we continue to support families facing food insecurity, we invite you to join us in this effort. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about our programs, every bit of support helps us make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Together, we can ensure that all children have the nutritious food they need to enjoy their summer and beyond.

Target Hunger Volunteers Make a Difference: Celebrating National Volunteer Month

As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the incredible efforts of those who dedicate their time and energy to make a positive impact in their communities. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission, our work is possible because of dedicated volunteers!

Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable contributions of our volunteers over the past few months:

Blazek & Vetterling

January:

In January, a total of 104 volunteers generously donated their time, amounting to an impressive 348 hours of service. Among these dedicated individuals, standout groups included Blazek & Vetterling (93 hours), ExxonMobil (52 hours), and Episcopal High School, who had 3 volunteers dedicate 54 hours!

YES Prep Students at work in Goffney Garden.

February:

February saw an even greater surge in volunteerism, with 298 volunteers stepping up to the plate and dedicating a total of 859 hours. This significant increase was largely driven by the enthusiastic participation of school groups such as Houston Christian High School and YES Prep. Their collective efforts accounted for over half of the month’s volunteer hours, highlighting the powerful impact of youth engagement in community service. We also welcomed a team from Enterprise Products.

Sunny Saturday volunteers planting at Goffney Garden.

March:

As spring approached, the momentum continued, with 199 volunteers rallying together to provide support where it was needed most. These dedicated individuals contributed 553 hours of service, with standout groups including our Sunny Saturday attendees, Mesa Airlines, and Second Baptist High School.

Overall:

In the first quarter of 2024, we have been fortunate to receive the support of 601 volunteers who have collectively donated an astounding 1,760 hours of their time. Their efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and families facing food insecurity, providing them with nourishment, hope, and dignity.

Phillips 66 volunteering at one of our January Food Fairs.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every volunteer who has contributed to our cause this year and every year before. Your kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication inspire us all to continue working towards a hunger-free future for our community.

To learn more about how you can get involved with Target Hunger and make a difference in the lives of those in need, visit our volunteer page or reach out to our Volunteer Manager. Together, we can create lasting change and build a brighter tomorrow for all!