1 'Kids' Meal' is Nutritious, Helpful

HOUSTON - Kids' Meals, Inc. is what could be considered a "meals on wheels" program for children, and organizers say the need in Houston grows greater every day.

The non-profit organization delivers healthy sack lunches to children who live at or below the poverty level from Monday through Friday.

Organizers say many of the children who benefit from the program have older brothers and sisters who now get their lunch at school, but Kids' Meals never forgets the children still spending their days at home.

According to Ruth Burrell, Kids' Meals Executive Associate Director, Kids' Meals provided 800 lunches per day a few years ago, but in 2009, that amount is as much as 1,200. She believes it is a sign of the times.

"We're seeing a lot of people walking in," Burrell says. "They are first-time people who are asking for help who've never had to ask for help."

Celeste Guerrero, who lives in north Houston, says Kid's Meals helps feed her large family.

Through the summer, Kid's Meals brought six sack lunches for her children, who are ages 12, 10, 9, 3, 2, and 1.

The three oldest children get their lunch at school when in session, but the lunches provided for her youngest children help out the family budget.

"It's not a real big expense, but it helps me," Guerroro says.

September is Target Hunger Month in Houston. Burrell says she hopes to raise public awareness and reach people not only in need of help, but people who would like to help.

For more information, visit http://www.kidsmealshouston.org/ .