Abbott announces comfort food care packages for at-risk youth, families

AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the Comfort Food Care Package program to provide meals for at-risk youth and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a release from the governor's office, participating restaurants will offer care packages for patrons to purchase on behalf of families and youth in need. Each package will have enough food to feed a family of five or six and will be delivered to recipients' homes.

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"Thank you to the generous Texans and restaurants across the state for stepping up to provide meals to families in need," said Abbott. "The Comfort Food Care Package program will provide at-risk youth and families with an additional food source, while giving Texans another way to support local restaurants and their fellow Texans experiencing hardships due to COVID-19."

Participating restaurants will have the care packages listed on their online ordering system for customers to purchase on behalf of at-risk families and youth in the community. Family and Youth Success Programs identify families and shelters who have the most need and work with participating restaurants and Favor to get the meals delivered.

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The program is a partnership between the Governor's Public Safety Office, the Texas network of Family and Youth Success Programs, Favor Delivery, and the Texas Restaurant Association.

"This innovative new program is a win for communities and restaurants across Texas," said Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. "By harnessing the generosity of Texans, customers can now support their communities and their favorite restaurants at the same time. I’m proud we could partner with Governor Abbott and Favor to launch this program so quickly. While we can’t predict when the impact of this crisis will end, we can find comfort in knowing that we have a new way to ensure everyone receives a meal and by doing that, we will help to keep local restaurants running."

Families interested in the program should contact their local Family and Youth Success Program for more information. Restaurants interested in participating in the program can sign up on the Texas Restaurant Association website.

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