Cy-Hope Summer Feeding Program Bridges the Hunger Gap for Cypress-Area Kids
As the final school bell rings and backpacks are stashed away for the summer, many children in the Cypress-Fairbanks community face a pressing question: Where will their next meal come from?
In response, Cy-Hope—a Cypress-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved youth—has once again launched its Summer Feeding Program, a vital food assistance initiative designed to ensure no child goes hungry during the summer break.
Filling the Gap Left by School Meals
While school cafeterias provide dependable nourishment during the academic year, summer vacation can leave a critical void for food-insecure families. Cy-Hope's Summer Feeding Program bridges this gap by organizing weekly food distributions across various community locations throughout the summer months.
These distributions provide nutritious, shelf-stable groceries that help sustain children and their families when traditional school-based meal services are unavailable. As Cy-Hope so powerfully states, “Hunger doesn’t take a summer break—let’s make sure no child has to go without.”
The need is especially significant in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD), where approximately 51.2% of students are classified as economically disadvantaged, living at or near the federal poverty level, according to the latest data from ProximityOne. This level of economic hardship results in heightened food insecurity, with more than half of CFISD students likely depending on free or reduced-price school meals to meet their daily nutritional needs. When those meals are no longer available during the summer, programs like Cy-Hope’s become a crucial safety net.
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How the Program Works
The Summer Feeding Program is part of Cy-Hope’s broader mission of “Making Life Better for Kids.” Food distributions include essential pantry items such as:
- Canned meats
- Pasta and rice
- Hot and cold cereals
- Packaged fruits and vegetables
- Soups
- Peanut butter and jelly
All food must be shelf-stable and unexpired. Donations are accepted through July and can be delivered to the Backpack Barn at Cy-Hope, located at 12715 Telge Rd, Cypress, TX 77429.
Community members can also support the program through Cy-Hope’s Amazon Wishlist (shop here) or by making a monetary donation via the Cy-Hope website (donate here, selecting “Summer Feeding” from the dropdown menu).
The VFW Cypress Post recently held a food drive in support of Cy-Hope, collecting food More Than Meals: Cy-Hope’s Holistic Support
Cy-Hope’s Summer Feeding Program is just one arm of its extensive network of youth development and community support services. These include:
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Backpack Program: Weekend food support in partnership with the Houston Food Bank.
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After-School Hope Centers: Safe, enriching environments offering homework help, mentorship, and STEM activities.
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Mobile Food Distributions: Direct grocery delivery to neighborhoods in need—no registration required.
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Mobile STEM Bus: A traveling lab introducing kids to hands-on robotics and drone technology.
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Cy-Hope Counseling Center: Affordable mental health services for individuals and families in Cypress and Waller.
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Providing Opportunities Program (POP): Financial aid for CTE certifications and college credit courses, supporting over 14,000 students since inception.
Cy-Hope also offers youth mentoring, summer camps, a youth baseball program, and operates the Hope Chest Resale Market, where proceeds benefit its many charitable initiatives.
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A Community Effort with Lasting Impact
Cy-Hope thrives on community involvement—welcoming donations, volunteers, and partnerships with local businesses, schools, churches, and civic organizations. Their mission goes beyond meals; it’s about transforming lives through education, emotional support, and opportunity.
This summer, as temperatures rise and school doors close, Cy-Hope is calling on neighbors, families, and organizations to help ensure that no child in the Cy-Fair area faces hunger. Whether you drop off a jar of peanut butter, shop the wishlist, or contribute financially, your support fuels a program that nourishes both bodies and hopes.
For more information on the Cy-Hope Summer Feeding Program, including drop-off hours, distribution locations, and volunteer opportunities, visit cy-hope.org/summer-feeding.
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.
