The Celebration

On Monday, November 13, 2023, Kids’ Meals held its 15th Annual Harvest Luncheon at the Marriott Marquis Houston. Kids’ Meals is an essential nonprofit organization that makes and delivers free meals to poverty-stricken preschool-aged children in the Houston area. Elizabeth and Wyatt Hogan, Marie Louise and David Kinder, Leigh and Jack Kins, Beth and Chase Robison, and Kim and Kyle Schuenemann, supporters of the Harvest Luncheon from its inception, chaired the luncheon. Invocations were delivered by Pastor Aaron T. Hansz, MBA and Rabbi Oren Hayon. KPRC2 meteorologist, Khambrel Marshall, emceed the luncheon.

 

The Story

During the luncheon, Artist Taft McWhorter intrigued guests with his live painting, and Joey de DeLongchamps performed.

 

The popular Harvest Market signals the start of the holiday shopping season for many by offering participants a collection of unique items to select from a curated group of vendors. This year’s market was attended by over 1,300 supporters who had over 19 vendors to choose from. One of the highlights of the live auction hosted by Johnny Bravo, was a 26-person Houston Texans gameday package, which raised $12,000.

 

The Moments

During the luncheon, collegiate athlete, entrepreneur, and author, Inky Johnson, delivered the keynote address. In his inspiring comments, Johnson reflected on the fact that he is the product of the spirit of Kids Meals. Also, during the luncheon, the Osorio family was honored as the Family of the Year. Thanks to the assistance of Kids’ Meals, the Osorios have successfully broken their cycle of poverty. As well, longtime supporters and volunteers were honored during the luncheon: Earl Hesterberg was named the 2023 Burrell Legacy Honoree, Kate Dearing Fowler was named the 2023 Golda and Gil Baker Honoree, Julia Gutierrez was named the 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Chevron was named the 2023 Corporate Honoree, and Shell Exploration and Production Company was named the 2023 Corporate Volunteer Group of the Year.

 

“I am grateful to all of our donors and volunteers who made another spectacular

luncheon possible,” says Beth Harp, Chief Executive Officer of Kids’ Meals. “It was a

delight to see the incredible turnout and generosity of Houstonians. We still have

300,000 meals to deliver to hungry children before year-end, and the funds raised

will help make sure thousands of Houston children won’t go to bed hungry.”

 

Luncheon Guests: Nina Altuve; Dean of The Texas Senate, Senator John Whitmire; Cherie Lindley; Twana Faykus; Earl and Susan Hesterberg; Mike Sullivan; Nancy Dinerstein; and Danielle Dubois.

 

About Kids’ Meals

Since 2006, Kids’ Meals has been delivering free healthy meals directly to the homes of hungry children who face debilitating hunger due to extreme poverty. Kids’ Meals is the only program of its kind in the United States. It is the first responder to provide meals to children six years of age and under who do not have access to free school-based meals. Kids’ Meals is dedicated to ending childhood hunger through collaboration and to providing families with resources to help end the cycle of poverty. Kids’ Meals has served over 9 million free meals to hungry children in 46 Houston-area zip codes and delivers an average of 6,044 free healthy meals every week day. 

 

For more information about Kids’ Meals, please visit www.kidsmealsinc.org, or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.