A McAllen ISD administrator is joining an advocacy group fighting food insecurity where she’ll be showing off the district’s success with food programs to a national audience.
Executive Director of Child Nutrition and Purchasing Alexandra Molina is the only individual in the state to be chosen as a member in the advocacy group No Kid Hungry 2023 Out of School Time Meals Champion Cohort, a release from the district said.
That group will work over the next year to raise awareness about summer and after-school meal programs, advising new program sponsors and developing practices nationwide.
Building on the work of a highly successful inaugural cohort, this group will work over the next year to raise awareness about the summer and after-school meals programs, provide their support and expertise to new program sponsors, and work together to develop and share promising practices to providers across the country.
No Kid Hungry will sponsor visits from Molina with congressional leaders, the USDA and philanthropists, the release said.
“I was selected as one of the 12 nationwide for our work with our after-school supper program and our incredible summer meals program with all our sponsors and school sites,” Molina wrote.
According to the district, Molina’s selection is a testament to the success of food programs at McAllen ISD.
The district’s after-school supper program feeds more than 4,600 children at 30 campuses and community partner sites.
The district’s summer program, founded over 25 years ago, provides meals to kids at schools, parks, community centers and places of worship.
This selection effectively recognizes McAllen ISD for its exemplary work to end hunger in its community through these programs.
The after-school supper program provides meals for more than 4,600 children after school at all 30 campuses plus community-partner sites like Lark Community Center, Palmview Community Center and two McAllen Boys and Girls Club centers. It began about five years ago.
The summer meals program has existed for more than 25 years. Meals are provided free for children up to age 18 at multiple sites across McAllen including schools, parks, community centers and places of worship.
Molina will share experience she’s gained from working with those programs as part of the cohort.
“Kids need proper nutrition to learn, thrive and grow, both in school and out,” Paige Pokorney, program manager for the No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices, wrote in the release. “These champions work tirelessly to ensure kids have access to three meals a day, every day. A huge part of this is getting them the food they need during times when school breakfasts and lunches aren’t available, like after school and over the summer. We’re so excited to work with and learn from these champions over the next 12 months.”
