Kids’ Meals Unveils New Houston Headquarters to Serve 26,000 Hungry Children Every Weekday by 2031
In a powerful move to combat childhood hunger, Kids’ Meals, Inc. has officially opened the doors to its new ExxonMobil Campus in Spring Branch. The state-of-the-art facility, located at 8790 Hammerly Blvd, Houston, TX 77080, is more than a new headquarters—it’s a launchpad to reach up to 26,000 food-insecure preschool-aged children every weekday by 2031.
This milestone is a transformative chapter for Kids’ Meals, the only program of its kind in the nation that delivers free, healthy meals directly to the homes of children under the age of six who live in extreme poverty. Founded in 2006, the Houston-based nonprofit has already delivered more than 18 million meals and connected thousands of families with critical wraparound resources aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty.
By the end of 2025, the organization expects to have delivered more than 3.4 million meals—an increase that reflects both deepening need and growing community support.
A Symbol of Compassion—and a Commitment to Scale
The new 50,000-square-foot campus, designed by Kirksey Architecture, features expanded volunteer zones, streamlined logistics areas, office suites, and a built-in generator for weather resilience. But perhaps its most memorable feature is the massive, custom-built brown bag that greets visitors at the entrance.
This striking installation, a larger-than-life replica of the brown paper lunch bags delivered to children every weekday, represents both the heart and scale of the organization’s mission.
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“Every volunteer will walk through this brown bag. It’s a daily reminder of the children we’re serving and the hope we’re delivering—one meal at a time,” said Beth Harp, CEO of Kids’ Meals. “This building is a testament to how far we’ve come—from a small team with a big mission to a purpose-built campus designed to serve thousands more children. But we know the work isn’t done.”
Indeed, the goal is ambitious. With the expanded space, Kids’ Meals plans to scale weekday meal delivery from 10,000 to 26,000 by 2031—reaching more than 14,000 families and delivering over 7 million meals annually across 56 Houston-area zip codes.
Fueled by Corporate and Community Champions
The September 24 ribbon-cutting ceremony drew city officials, corporate sponsors, board members, and longtime community supporters—all united in the fight against childhood hunger.
“This facility is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a strategic investment in the future of Houston’s children,” said Earl Hesterberg, Building Hope Campaign Co-Chair. “Corporate partners supporting Kids’ Meals have a unique opportunity to drive meaningful, lasting change.”
That collective impact includes generous contributions from ExxonMobil, Group1 Automotive, Pappas Restaurants, Reliant, Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Sysco, Valero, and numerous private foundations and individuals.
“Our work with Kids’ Meals reflects a shared commitment to improving the education, health, and well-being of children across Houston,” said Alvin Abraham, global manager of corporate giving at ExxonMobil. “We’re excited to see the new campus deepen that impact.”
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Why Preschoolers? Why Home Delivery?
Kids’ Meals focuses exclusively on preschool-aged children—those not yet enrolled in school and often overlooked by existing free lunch programs. These are children who might otherwise go without a meal.
In Harris County, the struggle to put food on the table appears to be both more common—and more severe—than national figures suggest. A 2025 report from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that nearly 40% of households experienced moderate to high food insecurity over the past year—almost three times the national average.
For families with children under age 6, who are too young to access free school meal programs, this gap often means missed meals during critical stages of growth and brain development. The data highlights just how urgent the need is for programs like Kids’ Meals, which fill a vital void for Houston’s youngest and most vulnerable residents.
By delivering meals directly to their homes, Kids’ Meals eliminates transportation and access barriers faced by low-income families. This daily delivery model doesn’t just feed hungry kids—it provides consistent nutrition during crucial early developmental years and keeps families connected to essential services that can help them achieve stability.
The nonprofit's wraparound approach is what sets it apart. In addition to food delivery, the organization also connects families to resources such as job training, housing support, healthcare, and early education programs.
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The Road Ahead: Join the Mission
Kids’ Meals isn’t stopping here. The new campus is a launchpad for community action—and the organization is calling on Houstonians to get involved.
There are many ways to support Kids' Meals:
- Volunteer to pack or deliver meals
- Donate to fund operations and expansion
- Host a lunch bag decorating event with your school, office, or community group
- Become a corporate sponsor and help transform lives at scale
“This building is not the finish line—it’s a starting point,” Harp emphasized. “We still have work to do, and we are profoundly grateful to the partners who continue to support our critical mission to end childhood hunger.”
For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit www.kidsmealsinc.org or follow Kids’ Meals on social media for updates and opportunities to support Houston’s hungriest children.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
