In response to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Houston’s most vulnerable communities, Houston Rockets star James Harden is teaming up with grocery chain Kroger to provide a week’s worth of groceries to 600 families each week for the next eight weeks.
The initiative is designed to benefit a total of 5,000 underserved families in the Houston area. The donations will be distributed to local food pantries serving residents in Alief (Southwest Houston); Third Ward; Fifth Ward; Southeast Huoston; and Northwest Houston. The first distributions will take place on April 16 and continue through June 4.
The selected families will be identified by each participating food pantry to receive a combination of fresh meats, bread, milk, produce, and staple canned goods. All groceries will be distributed by Kroger Houston in cooperation with the Houston Food Bank.
“We’re proud to be partnering with James Harden on this effort to help local families in need,” said Joe Kelley, Kroger’s Houston president. “We know that many families are struggling to make ends meet and keep food on the table. It’s our responsibility to do something about it.”
Harden’s contribution is made through his charitable organization, 3 The Harden Way, which was founded with his mother, Monja Willis.
According to its mission statement, 3 The Harden Way was established to provide higher learning opportunities. The foundation aims to bridge economic and educational gaps in the Houston area by providing financial support to high-achieving students who have shown leadership within those communities facing economic hardship.
