Brazos Valley Food Pantries Prepare for Summer Break

Local organizations work to ensure families have access to food during school vacation.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:48pm

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An out-of-focus, warm-toned photograph depicting a family sitting around a kitchen table, sharing a meal together. The details are blurred, creating a sense of intimacy and comfort.A community food pantry and summer meal program work to ensure families in the Brazos Valley have access to nutritious food during the school break.Navasota Today

Volunteers at the Christian Community Services food pantry in Navasota, Texas are making preparations to help local families in need put food on the table during the summer break. With the rising cost of groceries and school letting out, the pantry is stocking up on kid-friendly items to meet the growing demand. The Navasota ISD summer feeding program also provides free breakfast and lunch to all children under 18 in the district during June and July.

Why it matters

Food insecurity often increases during the summer months when children do not have access to free or reduced-price meals at school. Local food pantries and meal programs play a vital role in supporting families in need and ensuring children do not go hungry when school is out.

The details

Christian Community Services has been operating its food pantry for 26 years. Volunteers say they are stocking up on more kid-friendly items to prepare for the increased demand over the summer. The Navasota ISD summer feeding program also provides free breakfast and lunch to all children under 18 who live within the school district during June and July.

  • The Christian Community Services food pantry has been operating for 26 years.
  • The Navasota ISD summer feeding program runs in June and July.

The players

Christian Community Services

A local food pantry that has been serving the Navasota, Texas community for 26 years.

Navasota ISD

The school district in Navasota, Texas that operates a free summer meal program for children under 18.

Dennis Saathoff

A volunteer at the Christian Community Services food pantry.

Shannon Castillo

A volunteer at the Christian Community Services food pantry.

Dr. Stu Musick

A representative from Navasota ISD discussing the summer feeding program.

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What they’re saying

“I will be buying more stuff that is kid friendly for the summer.”

— Dennis Saathoff, Volunteer, Christian Community Services

“It has absolutely been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. And the people and clients that we work with are so appreciative of everything that they get. It just is a great feeling.”

— Shannon Castillo, Volunteer, Christian Community Services

“If you're in the need of food which we provide, uh, we're here we're gladly uh give out food to people who come in.”

— Dennis Saathoff, Volunteer, Christian Community Services

“People come in all the time with their heads down and, you know, I'm like sign in and they're like, ok, I'm so, you know, and by the time they leave, their head is up, they're talking, they're telling you about their day, they're asking how your day is.”

— Shannon Castillo, Volunteer, Christian Community Services

“They can get their breakfast. Kind of a grab and go breakfast type of scenario where they can sit there, uh, in the cafeteria and, and, uh, eat their breakfast as well. So, uh, both breakfast and lunch are available, grab and go options. Usually, we'll have, um, you know, a pretty good turnout. I wouldn't say large numbers, but we'll have folks that take advantage of that.”

— Dr. Stu Musick, Representative, Navasota ISD

What’s next

The Christian Community Services food pantry will continue stocking up on kid-friendly items throughout the summer to meet the increased demand. The Navasota ISD summer feeding program will run from June through July, providing free meals to children in the district.

The takeaway

Local food pantries and meal programs play a vital role in supporting families in need and ensuring children do not go hungry during the summer months when school is out. The volunteers at Christian Community Services and the Navasota ISD summer feeding program are working hard to make sure families in the Brazos Valley have access to nutritious food all year round.