Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty (BCHP), formerly known as Texas Hunger Initiative, has been committed to a world without hunger since its inception. Focused on addressing hunger issues within Texas, BCHP prioritized the unique needs of the state, the second-largest in the country.

In 2019, BCHP launched the Meals-to-You pilot program to provide nourishing, shelf-stable meals to families in rural areas across Texas. Many rural Americans, who live far from community or school food programs, struggle to access meals when schools are closed. Meals-to-You was designed to bridge this gap and ensure that children in rural areas had access to nutritious food.

The program faced unexpected challenges when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. With schools closing and the healthcare system under strain, one of their primary concerns was the impact on children who relied on school cafeterias for meals. Recognizing this urgent need, BCHP collaborated with the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Education Agency, and school districts to develop a curbside meal model. Schools opened curbside takeout spots where families could drive by and pick up sack lunches or breakfasts on a daily basis.

As the pandemic continued to affect communities globally, it became clear that expecting rural families, who often lived over 45 minutes away from the nearest school meal site, to travel daily for food was impractical. BCHP realized they needed to take food directly to these remotely located families.

Through partnerships with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), McLane Global, and PepsiCo, BCHP successfully scaled up the Meals-to-You program nationally. This expansion allowed them to provide over 5 million meals to rural schoolchildren in 38 states, including Puerto Rico. By leveraging these partnerships, BCHP distributed essential food resources to children in need across the country.

To further strengthen their impact, BCHP made strategic additions to their team, hiring Dr. Craig Gundersen, a prominent expert on addressing food insecurity and publicly funded nutrition programs, as the inaugural Jim and Tammy Snee Family Chair in Food Security. Dr. Kathy Krey was appointed as the Senior Director of Research & Administration in 2019. Dr. Gundersen’s & Dr. Krey’s expertise bolstered BCHP‘s commitment to research, policy & advocacy.

To sustain and expand their efforts, BCHP received a grant of nearly $5 million from the United States Department of Agriculture to continue the Meals-to-You program. This funding allowed them to collect valuable data while providing meals to those in need.

While BCHP‘s initiatives have extended beyond the borders of Texas, they remain committed to serving communities in the state, including major urban centers and remote rural areas. By combining research, policy advocacy, and on-the-ground solutions, BCHP has established itself as a leading organization focused on alleviating hunger and poverty. Their dedication to addressing the unique needs of communities and conducting research to inform their programs sets them apart in the fight against hunger.