The Heights has been successfully providing nutrition to the resident children for the past few summers with The Cook’s Nook and El Buen Samaritano, so when they reached out about a spring program in 2024, we knew the nutritious snacks would be enjoyed, appreciated, and make a positive impact at the Congress Learning Center.
Impact by the numbers
The Cook’s Nook provided a variety of nutritious and enjoyable snacks to 20 children at The Heights on Congress. This apartment in South Austin has many parents who use housing vouchers to pay rent.
The snacks provided to kids included Carrots & Celery with Healthy Ranch and Cheese Stick; Carrots, Cucumbers, Naan and Hummus; and Chicken Salad with Crackers and Orange Slices, among others.
Full Story
Child nutrition is fundamental to ensuring that children grow up healthy, strong, and capable of reaching their full potential. The importance of child nutrition lies in its direct impact on physical growth, cognitive development, immune system strength, and overall health. A well-balanced diet helps prevent malnutrition and reduces the risk of health issues and supports mental well-being and academic performance. Early nutritional support also lays the foundation for healthy eating habits later in life, fostering long-term health and well-being.
“When children go hungry their brains are affected by the lack of nutrition [at a time when] their brains are still developing”
– Dr. Rosamaria Murillo of El Buen
With parents away at work, kids often have to fend for themselves, but at the Heights apartment complex in South Austin last summer, about a dozen kids between the ages of 8 and 19 ate rosemary chicken with roasted potatoes, Creole red beans and rice with sausage and broccoli or teriyaki meatballs.
And during Spring 2024, with El Buen’s partnership, we could provide snacks to 20 kids from The Heights on Congress Learning Center supporting their nutritional needs for a period of 11 weeks. During the Center’s school day, kid residents enjoyed Carrots & Celery with Healthy Ranch and Cheese Sticks; Carrots, Cucumbers, Naan and Hummus; and Chicken Salad with Crackers and Orange Slices among others. The students were exposed to some familiar flavors, but some flavors were new to them and well received!
“The snacks and other meals that were distributed to us here at the Heights on Congress Learning Center, was a blessing, these much needed meals were a great help to our organization, especially for my After-School Program. I want to thank The Cook’s Nook for their much needed help. I will always be grateful for their help.”
– Yolanda DeSantiago, Learning Center Instructor, The Heights on Congress
At The Cook’s Nook, our innovative approach to addressing healthcare disparities reflects a deep commitment to driving positive change and promoting wellness for all. We’re thrilled to work with El Buen Samaritano as a trusted community leader and partner, and with The Heights to support their young residents’ physical and mental wellbeing – setting them all up for success.