Houstonians Show Holiday Cheer by Supporting Food Drive Efforts Despite Missing Out on ABC13’s Initial Campaign
For those who missed the opportunity to participate in ABC13's Share Your Holidays food drive, there is still time to help make a difference. The campaign, now in its 45th year, aims to provide meals for thousands of individuals in southeast Texas.
Famous mascot Toro from the Houston Texans made an appearance at Ball High School in Galveston, surprising students and staff with his Secret Santa visit. The event, which kicked off on Giving Tuesday, saw a significant outpouring of generosity, with $112,300 pledged by sponsors and over 13,000 pounds of food collected.
Meanwhile, the Houston Food Bank received a substantial donation from Disney, courtesy of its partnership with Feeding America. This generous gift will help provide approximately 45,000 meals for individuals in need across southeast Texas.
One million people in the region struggle with food insecurity, meaning they often face difficult choices between paying bills and accessing nutritious food. While government shutdowns have led to increased demand at food banks, some households continue to experience hunger despite having working adults and stable housing.
In fact, a recent report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that 39% of Houston and Harris County households are experiencing food insecurity. This rate is significantly higher than the national average, with Black and Hispanic residents facing the largest disparities in household food insecurity.
According to Feeding Texas, Texas has the highest number of people facing food insecurity in the nation, with over 5 million Texans struggling to access nutritious food. Rural areas often face unique challenges, including limited transportation options and low wages, exacerbating the issue.
ABC13 hopes to exceed its previous record of 1.6 million meals by accepting donations through New Year's Eve. By supporting Share Your Holidays, individuals can make a tangible difference in their community, providing three meals for every $1 donated.
Visit the Houston Food Bank website or scan the QR code shown during ABC13 news segments to drop off your donation and help make a lasting impact on those struggling with food insecurity.
For those who missed the opportunity to participate in ABC13's Share Your Holidays food drive, there is still time to help make a difference. The campaign, now in its 45th year, aims to provide meals for thousands of individuals in southeast Texas.
Famous mascot Toro from the Houston Texans made an appearance at Ball High School in Galveston, surprising students and staff with his Secret Santa visit. The event, which kicked off on Giving Tuesday, saw a significant outpouring of generosity, with $112,300 pledged by sponsors and over 13,000 pounds of food collected.
Meanwhile, the Houston Food Bank received a substantial donation from Disney, courtesy of its partnership with Feeding America. This generous gift will help provide approximately 45,000 meals for individuals in need across southeast Texas.
One million people in the region struggle with food insecurity, meaning they often face difficult choices between paying bills and accessing nutritious food. While government shutdowns have led to increased demand at food banks, some households continue to experience hunger despite having working adults and stable housing.
In fact, a recent report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that 39% of Houston and Harris County households are experiencing food insecurity. This rate is significantly higher than the national average, with Black and Hispanic residents facing the largest disparities in household food insecurity.
According to Feeding Texas, Texas has the highest number of people facing food insecurity in the nation, with over 5 million Texans struggling to access nutritious food. Rural areas often face unique challenges, including limited transportation options and low wages, exacerbating the issue.
ABC13 hopes to exceed its previous record of 1.6 million meals by accepting donations through New Year's Eve. By supporting Share Your Holidays, individuals can make a tangible difference in their community, providing three meals for every $1 donated.
Visit the Houston Food Bank website or scan the QR code shown during ABC13 news segments to drop off your donation and help make a lasting impact on those struggling with food insecurity.
... I was really bummed that our school didn't have one, but it's awesome that people in Houston are still showing their holiday cheer by supporting the cause 
. 1 mil people struggling with food insecurity is crazy! 
It's like, some people might think they're fine, but they're not 
. I bet some of my friends' families would benefit from this... it's really sad to think about 
. Can we get one at our school next year? 
. Anyways, it's awesome that Disney stepped up with a big donation - maybe we're seeing a shift towards corporate responsibility? 
And can we talk about how the numbers on food insecurity are straight-up staggering? 39% of households in Houston struggling to get by? That's not just a issue for individuals, but also for our local economy 
. I'm all for this Share Your Holidays campaign, but let's keep pushing for more sustainable solutions that address the root causes of poverty and inequality 
.
. Like, who wouldn't want to give back to their community? And it's awesome that Toro from the Houston Texans made an appearance at Ball High School - kids are so impressionable and loving those surprise visits must be incredible for them! 
Anyway, I think what really gets me is how food insecurity affects families in Houston. 39% of households struggling with hunger... that's just a number, but it feels like so much more when you think about the people behind it 
. I hope ABC13 can reach its goal and provide even more meals for those who need them most - every little bit counts, right? 
I mean have you seen the stats? 39% of households in Houston are experiencing food insecurity 
. And it's not just about one person, it's about families, kids, and communities. We gotta step up our game and support organizations like the Houston Food Bank 
. The $112,300 pledged by sponsors is a good start, but we need more! 
️. I'm donating what I can and encouraging everyone to do the same 
. but seriously, it's all about bein grateful for what u have & sharin w/ others. let's keep up the good vibes & make a difference! 
I just saw that Houstonians are still showing holiday spirit by supporting food drives despite missing out on the initial campaign 
. That's awesome! $112,300 pledged so far is not bad at all 
. Disney and Feeding America partnership is a great combo 
. I love that ABC13 wants to break the record 
. I mean, what's $1 a meal gonna do? You're just making things last longer for them. And don't even get me started on the stats... 39% of Houston households struggling with food insecurity? That's just great. Meanwhile, Disney gives a bunch of money to the Food Bank and suddenly everyone's all smiles 
! Who needs ABC13's campaign when you got Toro from the Houston Texans spreading cheer at Ball High School? That Secret Santa visit is like a holiday miracle right there 
... just kidding, but seriously, it's awesome to see people come together for a good cause.
But hey, at least we've got organizations like the Houston Food Bank & Disney stepping up to make a difference. And if you're feeling generous, donating through Share Your Holidays is a great way to help out 
.
... just saying. Anyway, let's all do our part & support Share Your Holidays until New Year's Eve 
!
meanwhile lets get all them funds in for 45 yr old houston food bank 
. Plus, have you seen the costs associated with these events? $112k? That's a lot of money that could be going straight to the people in need, instead of lining some corporate pocket 
... I mean, what's wrong with people not wanting to part with their cash? It's like they're voluntarily breaking the bank for some charity 
just saw that 5 million Texans are struggling to access nutritious food, like, what's going on? 
but seriously 39% of households in houston are strugglin so we gotta do more 
. It's amazing to see Toro from the Texans making appearances at schools and spreading cheer – who wouldn't want a Secret Santa visit from a mascot? 
. Just don't expect me to get all teary-eyed about it.