Julia C. Hester House doubles food-distribution efforts in Fifth Ward
When COVID-19 first rippled through Houston, Julia C. Hester House was forced to shut down many of its programs. For 76 years, the nonprofit community center has provided health, wellness and social resources in Fifth Ward, though the coronavirus pandemic created a unique challenge: how to feed the neighborhood’s most vulnerable residents, including the elderly?
Hester House organizers prioritized its senior beneficiaries early on. Before the coronavirus, they had access to daily, nutritious meals at the center. With safety restrictions in place, Hester House’s food distribution could serve only 50 people at a time.
Then in April, the Houston Food Bank and Harris County Precinct 1 stepped in. The two entities joined forces with Crowd
Rescue to distribute 1,000 food boxes that are assembled at Hester House three times a week. Meal packages are delivered to Harris County senior citizens and residents who live in food deserts or are at an increased risk of suffering complications from COVID-19.
“For families who are struggling, COVID-19 is creating hardship on top of hardship,” said Andrea Sankey, director of development. “So we’re wanting to create some level of support and access to wholesome and healthy foods.”
Still, several households fell through the cracks. To meet additional needs within Fifth Ward, Precinct 1 and the Houston Food Bank went back to the drawing board. On Tuesdays since mid-June, Hester House has also distributed fresh-food boxes to individuals and families in the neighborhood.
“They get a plethora of things:
fresh meat, produce, dry goods, pet food and toiletries. The box looks different each week,” Sankey said. “With the increase of grocery prices, we provide as many wholesome, balanced meals to families as possible.”
When that program began, Hester House handed out 300 food boxes in under two hours. Now, it’s up to 500.
Cars line up at the center well before the 9 a.m. start time.
Some recipients arrive on foot. Precinct 1 donated bicycles for volunteers to hand-deliver boxes to residents with limited mobility.
Sankey notes that Hester House has always focused on the neighborhood’s nutrition and wellness. Through no-contact food distribution, it’s just taken on a different form.
The nonprofit’s core mission has always been influenced by its late founder, Julia C. Hester, who opened the home she shared with husband A.Z. Hester to local youth. Over the years, senior and social service initiatives were added.
The original Hester home was built in 1943; the organization moved into its current location in 1949. Most summers, the facility is a popular destination for swimming lessons and indoor sports.
“We typically host a very robust summer camp and STEM programs,” Sankey said. “Now parents can pick up a box every Friday for the following week filled with science-project materials and ingredients for healthy snacks.”
Hester House’s pivot to virtual activities aims to help parents who don’t always have access to child care. Kids can even log on and practice yoga with a remote instructor. “We’re trying to make sure that students stay engaged at home so that parents can do what they need to. Students have some sort of supervision, even if it’s virtual.”
Mental health is another top concern. Sankey and her colleagues recently added a social component to existing fooddistribution efforts to keep the community connected: Sunday supper.
“In African-American culture, Sunday supper is a little bit nicer — it has a little more feeling. So we’re starting to offer special meal boxes and Zoom over Sunday supper together,” she said. “It’s much needed for mental health.”