The Houston Health Department estimates that one in four children under 18 years of age in Houston/Harris County is food insecure. These children are not only hungry, they don’t receive proper nutrition; that means they’re also at higher risk for serious negative impacts on their growth and development. Food-insecure children are more frequently hospitalized, have a higher risk of developing chronic conditions, and experience more academic, behavioral, and social problems.
Mayor Turner is facing that daunting challenge with a sense of urgency.
This Thanksgiving, he is partnering with nonprofit organizations and houses of worship to distribute food and masks leading up to Thanksgiving Day. Meeting the needs of people in this community is the mayor’s number one priority.
That’s why instead of a Thanksgiving Day parade this year, Mayor Turner hosted a mass food distribution at NRG Park November 21 to meet the needs of families with children facing food insecurities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Houston partnered with title sponsor H.E.B., the Houston Food Bank, the Houston Livestock Show, Rodeo, and an army of volunteers. Vehicles lined up hours before the 8 a.m. distribution start time for an opportunity to receive a box of food. As each car pulled up in one of six lanes, Mayor Turner and volunteers placed a box containing a turkey or ham, pies, canned goods, and milk in their vehicle. The Mayor’s Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force provided face masks and sanitizer.
“This event is more emotional,” said Mayor Turner, “because instead of the floats, it’s a parade of cars based on people’s needs. My goal is to help people keep food on the table and prevent COVID-19 from spreading in their households, which could sicken our elderly and other vulnerable and high-risk loved ones.”
It was one of several events to assist individuals who may have lost jobs, faced furloughs and other challenges ahead of the holidays. Mayor Turner also participated in food distributions recently hosted by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, State Senator Borris Miles, the Original Burns BBQ in Acres Home and the United Memorial Medical Center.
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