Hearts and Hands of Baytown, Inc

Our Mission & Vision:

“To share the love of Christ through the work of our hands in serving

 the church, the community and beyond.”

Hearts and Hands of Baytown was established as a Client Choice pantry to alleviate the physical and emotional hunger of those in need in a dignified and supportive manner. Client Choice is a more efficient way of distributing food, providing an avenue for clients to make positive choices with confidence and without judgment, a small step toward self- sufficiency, while decreasing waste and risk of potential harm for those with dietary restrictions.

HHB takes a comprehensive approach in providing supporting services with collaborating partnerships that work to not only eradicate hunger but address the underlying causes.

Turning the safety net into a trampoline; elevating without enabling.

About us:

A top-rated Houston Food Bank Healthy Pantry, HHB is a multi-facetted organization built on strong volunteer engagement that has become the benchmark for Client Choice pantries across the country. The Client Choice Fresh Market, Food For Change Fresh Market, Food Fairs across the community, Retail Partnerships, Nutritional Classes, Chronic Conditions Classes, Senior Feeding Programs, Work Study Programs,  Houston Food Bank delivery HUB to smaller agencies and strong collaborations all combine to make HHB the dynamic organization that served 2,078,065 pounds to 19,873 families equaling 74,321 individuals in 2019.

Hearts and Hands of Baytown is a ministry of Iglesia Cristo Viene, established in 2014 to alleviate the physical and emotional hunger of those in need in a dignified and supportive manner.  A top-rated Houston Food Bank Healthy Pantry Partner Agency, HHB is a multi-facetted organization that has become the benchmark for Client Choice pantries across the country.

The Client Choice Fresh Market, Food For Change Fresh Market, Food Fairs across the community, Retail Partnerships, Nutritional Classes, Chronic Conditions Classes, Senior Feeding Programs, Work Study Programs,  Houston Food Bank delivery HUB to smaller agencies and strong collaborations all combine to make HHB the dynamic organization that served 2,078,065 pounds to 19,873 families equaling 74,321 individuals in 2019.

Clients are invited to select from a wide variety of season fresh produce, low-fat diary, lean proteins and numerous other choices as they shop side by side with a dedicated volunteer.  Our inviting registration area displays HFB materials, Brighter Bites and @thetable by MD Anderson.  Foods to encourage are front and center displaying tip sheets, recipes, nutritional information, healthy choice examples, rotating cooking demos and social service agencies.

Winner of the 2019 Healthy Pantry Award we have increased accessibility of nutritious foods while promoting healthy choices through small environmental changes. Priding ourselves on education, presentation and engagement “nudges” are placed throughout the pantry to encourage choices, lower in sugar or salt, packed in own choices, high fiber, lean protein, 100% whole grain options.

 To not only shorten the line but to affect real change we are developing pathways to sustainability for our pantry; based on the FFC model and enlisting the help of local agencies, we plan to pilot summer 2020.

There is a strong link between food insecurity and chronic disease. Therefore, it is essential for pantries to provide food that supports a healthy lifestyle for clients.

Food security, building a healthier community.

• Physical availability of food- resourcing through HFB, retailers, corporate and private donors
• Economic and physical access to food- distributing in different pockets of the community breaking the transportation barrier
• Food utilization (diversity of diet, knowledge of good preparation practices, and appropriate distribution of food within a household) education
• The stability of these three dimensions over time Stability is given when the supply on household level remains constant during the year and in the long-term

Food security exists when all people, always, have physical & economic access to enough, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs & preference for an active healthy life. Built on four pillars, our programs: The Client Choice Market, Food for Change Market, Food Fairs, Retail Partnerships, Nutritional & Chronic Conditions Classes, Senior & Work Programs, HFB HUB, & Volunteer Engagement are geared to address: availability, access, utilization and stability. Food is sourced through the HFB, retailers, corporate, & private donors ensuring availability. Economic & physical access to food achieved by distributing in different pockets of the community, alleviating transportation barriers. Food misuse is reduced through client choice allowing for personal selection ensuring less waste or potential harm.  Education via tips, recipes, nutritional info, & healthy cooking demos promote good use. Stability is achieved when household level remains constant; our vision for the community.

Food insecurity is the result of many complex factors, it is greater than merely being hungry; it can produce anxiety, depression, chronic illnesses, and developmental/behavioral problems in children. Good health is a community issue that must be addressed. Hearts and Hands of Baytown is leading the effort; expanding access to healthy foods, educational programs, volunteer engagement & development, leveraging resources, duplicating efforts via partner agencies, mentoring prospective partners, piloting new programs & growing collaborations. A positive impact is evident in the smile of a single mother providing nutritious meals for her child, a senior who doesn’t have to choose between food & medicine, a college student who receives nutritional support while pursuing higher education, a retired volunteer finding added value in life, the homeless man who is served empathy & compassion, the retail donor who sees power in their donation. This is our responsibility and will benefit everyone.