A renown restaurant, a Houston philanthropist and the Constable’s office team up for TEACH

A renown restaurant, a Houston philanthropist and the Constable’s office team up for TEACH

Houstonians always step up in cases of crisis and tragedy and creative ideas flourish to help others survive this trying time. This event is no exception. Cars started lining up at Tony’s Restaurant as they, along with TEACH (To Educate all Children), a locally based non-profit, and Constable Alan Rosen partnered in an initiative to provide more than 1,000 meals to students in need from TEACH-partnered Houston Independent schools and their families. On the first day, more than 225 family-style meals were made and distributed by staff at Tony’s, the landmark restaurant on Richmond, owned by the Vallone family.

Students from HISD schools (where TEACH’s programs are implemented) and their families were invited to apply to pick up a packaged meal via curbside service from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm over a four-day period. Susan Sarofim, Houston philanthropist and co-founder of TEACH (an independent non-profit that creates safe, calm classroom environments) says “The important fact to remember is more than 90 percent of children attending HISD schools qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch programs. Just in the schools TEACH serves, that is more than 10,000 students. Simply put, without school, many children are going without food. Therefore, TEACH and Tony’s joined in creating this community-based project with HISD to provide nutritious meals to as many of these children as we can. Therefore, contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated.”

The program is supported by Constable Alan Rosen and the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office. They will provide safety, security and traffic control services during meal pickups. “This is an important initiative during these challenging times and I am proud to be a part of this effort to ensure families have enough to eat,” said Constable Rosen. Each meal will feed a family of four and will include a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and dessert. Donations, which are recommended to start at $40 to feed one family, but can be given in any amount, can be made at Address to Donate, or by emailing Ashley Dillard at ashleyd@toeducateallchildren.org. All donations will go directly to supporting the program. If donations allow, it will be possible to extend the initiative to provide more meals on more dates. Precinct One distributed masks and gloves at the event. As the Precinct One staff assisted with moving the cars, Erica Davis, the Director of Community Outreach gathered names and distributed masks and gloves at the event.

Socially present: Along with Donna Vallone, Tony Vallone and his staff, helping place meals in the back of each vehicle, were Susan Sarofim, Constable Alan Rosen, Asst. Chief Deputy Carl Shaw, and Nory Angel, TEACH Executive Director.