Contact: Hannah Faulkner, partners@apccollective.com
San Antonio, TEXAS [July 27, 2026] – No Kid Hungry Texas announced their 2026 Summer Hunger Heroes, recognizing four outstanding child nutrition professionals across Texas who go above and beyond to ensure children have access to healthy meals year-round.
The annual award celebrates the unwavering dedication of individuals who make summer nutrition programs possible for the 1 in 5 children who experience food insecurity in Texas. While free and reduced-price school meals provide a dependable source of nourishment during the school year, summer often leaves families struggling to fill the gap.
The latest No Kid Hungry Texas poll reveals that the majority of Texas families (62%) struggle to keep their children fed with nutritious meals when school is out, and 68% say making ends meet becomes even harder during the summer months. Summer meal programs work to alleviate this pressure on family grocery budgets, and it’s this work that the 2026 Summer Hunger Heroes are dedicated to.
“Every summer, too many Texas children lose access to the healthy meals they count on during the school year,” said Stacie Sanchez Hare, Director of No Kid Hungry Texas. “Our Summer Hunger Heroes are trusted leaders in their communities, finding creative ways to reach children, remove barriers to access, and ensure every meal served brings a child one step closer to a healthier future.”
No Kid Hungry Texas recognized the following individuals as 2026 Summer Hunger Heroes:
Brianna Fleming, Children’s Program Manager at Central Texas Food Bank
When operational challenges threatened meal distribution at partner sites, Brianna stepped in immediately, coordinating across departments and troubleshooting in real time so that no site missed a beat. Leading with compassion and without seeking recognition, Brianna has always kept sight of what is at stake: that every meal represents a child who might otherwise go hungry.
Ben Musquiz, Meal Delivery at Sabinal ISD
When a meal delivery bus got stuck in the mud during the first week of summer, Ben jumped in without hesitation, working until it was moving again. With an outstanding dedication and reliability in all tasks — whether delivering meals, helping in the kitchen, or supporting fellow volunteers — Ben is a beacon of inspiration for everyone around him.
Michelle Keller, Child Nutrition Specialist at Hampton Moreno Dugat Early Childhood Center in Beeville ISD
Michelle has been leading the Trojan Grill Summer Nutrition Learning Labs, turning summer meals into a memorable experience for kids and families. Through taste tests, cooking demonstrations, and hands-on activities, she gets children excited to explore fruits and vegetables with curiosity and joy. Beyond feeding kids this summer, Michelle is helping build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
Shamedria Gilmore, Cafeteria Director at Grapeland Elementary
The Grapeland Elementary Cafeteria, run solely by Director Shamedria Gilmore, served breakfast and lunch to every student Monday through Friday. For families without transportation, she personally delivers meals so no child goes without. Her dedication is quiet and consistent, making all the difference for the kids and families who count on her.
With the cost of groceries higher than ever, Summer Meals have become an even more critical resource for families,” said Brianna Fleming, Children’s Program Manager at Central Texas Food Bank. “I’m honored to be recognized as a Summer Hunger Hero, and I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve built that help ensure children have reliable access to nutritious meals throughout the summer.”
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.
