Copy Doctor: Fighting Child Hunger in Houston

Hungry children suffer. And there are hungry children right here in the Houston area. According to the Houston Food Bank, one in four children in Harris County lives at or below poverty level. That is above the national level of one in five.

The Face of Hunger in SE Texas

Of the 137,000 different people who receive food assistance each week:

Nearly half of households include at least one working adult

94% are not homeless

47% are children

Hard Choices

Hungry families report they must often choose between paying for food and other necessities.

Food vs. utilities – 62%

Food vs. rent or mortgage – 52%

Hungry children are sick more often and recover more slowly. They are more likely to experience headaches, stomachaches, colds and ear infections. They have trouble in school because the lack of nutrition impairs a child’s ability to concentrate and perform well. They are more aggressive and anxious, and have significantly higher levels of behavioral and emotional problems. They also develop self esteem issues and suffer in their social relationships.

Kids' Meals is a non profit, meals-on-wheels program, which provides and delivers nutritious meals, free of cost to the families, Monday through Friday, year-round. In the summer months the number of children serviced jumps from 1700 to 3400 a day. Kids’ Meals is the only organization that is bridging the gap for hungry preschool aged children; the missing piece for children ages 1-5 who are too old for services from organizations such as WIC and not yet old enough to receive free breakfast and lunch in school.

Copy Doctor is teaming up with Kids’ Meals during the month of May by sponsoring a food drive. Non perishable food donations may be dropped off at Copy Doctor locations, 3814 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77005, or 1101 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, TX 77546 during the month of May.

“It is sometimes difficult to believe that hunger exists right here in the Houston area. Most people think of hunger in terms of famine, or major tragedies, but not as something that affects children everyday in our own community,” said Don Sowa, President of Copy Doctor. “Anything we can do the help our neighbors is not only our responsibility, but our privilege. We hope our customers and business friends will join us in supporting this great organization.”