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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, 202-204-7515; jvanness@communityplans.net 

ACAP RECOGNIZES KIDS’ MEALS INC. WITH
2023 SUPPORTING THE SAFETY NET AWARD 

WASHINGTON—Today, the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) presented its 18th annual Supporting the Safety Net Award to Kids Meals Inc., a non-profit dedicated to ending childhood hunger by delivering free healthy meals directly to the homes of children in the greater Houston area. It is the only organization of its kind in the U.S. and was nominated by Texas Children’s Health Plan. 

With a focus on the food insecurity that may occur before children are enrolled in school, Kids’ Meals provides one free lunch a day to pre-school aged children and twice weekly grocery deliveries to their families. Kids’ Meals also delivers free lunches to school-aged children in registered households during school breaks and summer holidays. 

In 2022, Kids’ Meals delivered more than 855,000 pounds of groceries and served more than 1.8 million meals to more than 6,000 pre-school aged and 4,000 school aged children. Kids’ Meals believes that when food insecurity is addressed, mental health outcomes and learning capacities are improved.  

“Every day, Texas Children’s Health Plan refers members to Kids’ Meals and individuals have been able to start receiving free meal delivery in as little as one week,” said Karen E. Hill, Chief Medical Officer and Interim President, Texas Children’s Health Plan. “Kids’ Meals has been a tremendous partner to Texas Children’s Health Plan and a pillar of the community here in the greater Houston area.” 

“When Safety Net Health Plans are faced with addressing not only the health, but the greater social needs of their members, engaging with community organizations is a fundamental way for a plan to extend its reach and impact,” said ACAP CEO Meg Murray. “We’re honored to recognize Kids’ Meals Inc. for their commitment to the fight to end childhood hunger in Houston.” 

With its unique approach of home delivery, Kids’ Meals is actively working to combat transportation issues, the second largest barrier to food security behind finances according to The Children’s Hunger Project (TCHP). Its team of full-time drivers, known as Hope Providers, develop trusting relationships with families and often support parents and guardians with wraparound services including ESL classes and GED programs. Kids’ Meals recently received funding for the new Family Resource Program, allowing staff to provide families referrals for even more social services. 

The Supporting the Safety Net award recognizes a community-based organization or individual that has implemented exemplary, inventive programs to meet the health needs of high-risk populations and that can serve as a model of best practices for other communities. It was presented at ACAP’s CEO Summit in Washington, D.C. 

About ACAP:
ACAP represents 80 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 25 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net. 

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