Contact: Hannah Faulkner, hannah@apccollective.com
San Antonio, TEXAS [January 14, 2026] – Today, No Kid Hungry Texas announced $102,772 in grant funding to strengthen and expand school breakfast programs across three Texas school districts.
Austin ISD. Dallas ISD and Richardson ISD will receive funding as part of No Kid Hungry’s ongoing commitment to improving school breakfast participation by supporting districts in implementing alternative programs that meet student needs.
Thanks to these grants, Austin ISD will be able to purchase equipment for existing programs that offer breakfast in the classroom, as well as extend this option to two additional schools.
“This support truly makes a difference for Austin ISD students, especially for those who rely on school meals each day,” said Ryan Mikolaycik, Executive Director Food Service and Warehouse Operations at Austin ISD. “This funding helps us expand and sustain Breakfast in the Classroom programs, ensuring more children start the day with a healthy meal. We are grateful for this support, which allows us to serve breakfast safely, efficiently, and with care.”
Across Dallas ISD, a new “breakfast battle” will be launching, where students from five high schools will develop marketing plans to increase participation in grab-and-go breakfast. Grant funds will support the purchase of kiosk stations that streamline this meal service.
“This project allows us to expand our School Breakfast Program through a new, student-led service model,” said Debi Rowley, Executive Director at Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services. “By combining student innovation with modern technology, we are making healthy meals more accessible and ensuring our students have the fuel they need to succeed.”
No Kid Hungry Texas’ investment in Richardson ISD will help two high schools implement grab-and-go breakfast options, helping with the purchase of equipment such as mobile carts that can be stationed in high-traffic areas.
“A healthy breakfast can make all the difference in a child’s day, however far too many students still arrive at school without the nutrition they need for a full day of learning,” said Stacie Sanchez Hare, Director of No Kid Hungry Texas. “These grants empower our district partners to both strengthen and expand their breakfast efforts so every child can be set up for academic success each day.”
With food costs continuously rising, the latest No Kid Hungry Texas poll shows that most Texans (85% of respondents) feel food prices are increasing faster than their earnings. This growing strain underscores how essential school meal programs have become for families, as they provide low-cost and nutritionally balanced meal options each day. Research shows that students who eat breakfast reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math, score higher on standardized tests, have better memory and concentration, and are more alert.
No Kid Hungry Texas partners with school districts and community organizations across the state, as well as advocates for smart policy solutions that ensure all Texas children are nourished year-round. To learn more about the organization’s grantmaking and advocacy, visit https://state.nokidhungry.org/texas/.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.
