Dear HISD Community:

If there is one thing I’ve learned during these challenging times, it’s that we must continue to seek out the good and celebrate it. In HISD, we’re fortunate that we don’t have to look very far, because good things are happening all around us.

Team HISD has done a wonderful job of keeping our district moving forward, from our employees on the front lines to those who have transitioned into working from home.

But there is one group of employees in particular that deserves some extra recognition today, as we mark National School Lunch Hero Day.

Initially based on a graphic novel series featuring a crime-fighting lunch lady who serves up justice while serving up lunch, National School Lunch Hero Day was created to honor school nutrition professionals and their tireless service to students.

In a school district where almost 80 percent of the student population lives below the poverty line, Nutrition Services staff play an essential role in student success. The healthy meals they serve do more than fuel student learning. They help fight hunger.

This is especially true now as these passionate men and women have transitioned from school kitchens and cafeterias to community food distribution sites. They stepped up to the challenge without question and now are on the front lines of this pandemic, leading the effort to provide food to our students and their families so they don’t have to go without.

In just over six weeks, Nutrition Services has distributed more than 2.6 million pounds of food to Houston families in need. What an amazing accomplishment!

On this National School Lunch Hero Day, I want to personally thank each one of our Nutrition Services employees for their continued dedication to our students. You all are true heroes, and we are so grateful for you and your work.

Please join me in wishing all of our wonderful Nutrition Services employees, a happy School Lunch Hero Day!

Sincerely,