A local program aims to reduce waste and to redirect food resources where they are needed most.

Milk 4 Many, working through volunteers on Katy ISD campuses, intercepts milk from student lunches that might otherwise be wasted, and sends it to the food pantry at Katy Christian Ministries where it can be given to needy families.

Lunch provided through the Katy ISD Nutrition and Food Services Department mandates that each meal served will include milk. “While every opportunity is given to our kids to consume their milk, some days they simply choose not to drink it,” said Milk 4 Many program coordinator Brenda Martin.

“An abundance of milk that is not being consumed by our children is thrown in the trash,” said Martin. “With this knowledge at hand, a partnering program has been started to collect unopened/unwanted milk so that it may be donated to a local food pantry for those in need.”

“The ‘Milk 4 Many’ program has been a great success at our school in the past,” Martin said. “We are excited to continue the program this year. Again, the collection of the milk will be completely dependent upon the help of volunteers. We welcome our parents/grandparents to join and participate in the ‘Milk 4 Many’ program.”

How the program works:

· The cafeteria workers will not take the milk from the students while they are sitting and eating lunch.

· The cafeteria workers intercept at the trash cans and collect the unopened/unwanted items.

· The unopened/unwanted items are then placed in an insulated cooler donated by the PTO.

· The cooler is then transported by a volunteer to a local food pantry where it is donated and placed in a large refrigerator until it is distributed to those in need.

But volunteers are needed. Volunteers may sign up at the following links: FEBRUARY - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4BA4A62FA4F58-54248607-february MARCH - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4BA4A62FA4F58-54248865-march APRIL - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4BA4A62FA4F58-54249161-april MAY - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4BA4A62FA4F58-54249692-maymilk

For questions or concerns, please contact program coordinator Brenda “Mamaw” Martin at 832-455-4500 or Debbie McGilva, food pantry director at Katy Christian Ministries at 281-391-3730.