Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Stielow.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cynthia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I never planned on making nonprofit my career, but it has brought me immeasurable joy and I cannot fathom another life. When I moved to Houston in 1991, I had just graduated from college and was looking for work with a PR agency or in corporate communications. I had 13 internships that had created a full portfolio and I was sure I’d have a job in no time.
After two months without an offer, a friend asked me to apply for a job at Child Advocates, Inc. I didn’t think the interview would become anything, but after I saw went they were doing and met their founder, Marty Braniff, I was so inspired I took the job. I had planned on working there for one year and then working back towards my original career path. Ten years later, I was still there and had helped the organization quadruple in size. I had built a communications department and solid brand for a vital organization and left to start a family.
Five years ago, that same friend asked me to help with Kids’ Meals. After my first ride delivering free, healthy meals to hungry children in a Kids’ Meals van, I was hooked. Initially, I volunteered taking photos and creating a social media program. That quickly turned into a contract job, then full-time position as Director of Development and Communications. Kids’ Meals is literally feeding the future of Houston. 1 in 4 children in our city lives unsure of their next meal. Joining in the fight to end childhood hunger in this great city is more than a job for me, it is my calling.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nonprofit work never offers a smooth road, but one that is worth the climb! Once Kids’ Meals agrees to deliver free, healthy meals to a hungry child, we commit to being there for that child until they begin school. With more than 88,000 hungry children in Houston, that’s a tall order. Right this moment we are delivering 6,000 meals a day directly to the homes and into the hands of our most vulnerable population. When there have been downturns in the economy and donations decrease, we face challenges to continue providing meals to every child. We have to be exceptional stewards of funds entrusted to us, and we work every single day to stretch not just every dollar, but every penny on behalf of the children we feed. Those struggles make us wise and creative. They help us devise new ways of doing what we do and forge imperative partnerships.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kids’ Meals, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Kids’ Meals is the only program of its kind in the nation, and I fully believe Houston can be the first city to end childhood hunger. This year we are on track to accomplish an exciting first– making and delivering a million meals- but we can’t do it without the amazing volunteers and donors who want to deliver hope to the future of Houston.
Houston was the first city to lead the country into space, we are the world capital of petroleum exploration and the dynamic hub of the international energy industry. If we can put a person on the moon, we can be the first city to show the nation how to provide healthy food for its most vulnerable citizens; children.
Kids’ Meals has spent the last 13 years perfecting the model that can do just that. End childhood hunger. It’s a big goal, but it’s one we can achieve with your help. Each weekday, our seven vans deliver 3,000- 6,100 healthy meals directly to the homes and into the hands of hungry preschool-aged children, many of whom would otherwise not eat. In 2018, a record 899,207 healthy meals were made and delivered all for less than $2 per meal.
We are leveraging every relationship and connecting with major corporations, family-owned businesses, places of worship, clubs, schools and individuals to make that goal a reality. We will not quit until no child feels the sharp pains of hunger and hopelessness.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Houston is home to the most AMAZING people on earth! More than 20,000 volunteers fill our kitchen every year. They sing they dance, they high-five as bags of food are made and delivered to hungry children. Houston is home to the most generous companies, places of worship, and service organizations of all sizes who donate critical funds to make our work possible. We believe Houston is the greatest city in the world!
Contact Info:
- Address: 330 Garden Oaks Blvd., Houston TX 77018
- Website: www.kidsmealsinc.org
- Phone: 713-695-5437
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsmealshouston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsmealsinc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KidsMealsInc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kids-meals-inc-houston
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kidsmeals/?viewAsMember=true
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
