Texas TV Station’s Backpack Buddy Campaign to Provide 200,000 Meals for Kids

By Paul Greeley

KHOU, Tegna’s CBNS affiliate in Houston, held their 2026 Backpack Buddy campaign and raised more than $66,000, providing 200,000 meals for kids in their community.

The Backpack Buddy initiative supplies child-friendly, nutritious food packages to students who rely on free school breakfast and lunch during the week but may go hungry over the weekend.

Dale Lockett, KHOU’s Director of Local Programming & Community Marketing, posted this video on social media to thank everyone involved.

When the final school bell rings on Friday, many students face an uncertain weekend without consistent access to food.

Through the Houston Food Bank’s Backpack Buddy program, children experiencing chronic food insecurity receive backpacks filled with nutritious, child-friendly meals and snacks to help bridge the gap until they return to school on Monday.

Volunteers pack bags with shelf-stable items like fruit, tuna, milk, cereal, and raisins. These bags are slipped discreetly into students’ backpacks on Fridays before dismissal.

Paul Greeley is the manager and a writer for News Blues.

He can be reached at Paul@NewsBlues.com or 817-578-6324.