Nourish to Flourish
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After a single phone call in 2012 and years of planning, Nourish to Flourish officially launched its first summer in 2019. With generous support from Medtronic—who donated meal boxes, snacks, and napkins—the program took root on the South Common, under the shade of trees where families and children gathered in small groups to enjoy their meals together. Though the numbers were modest that first year, the smiles were abundant, and the mission was clear: feed the body, nourish the heart.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nourish to Flourish grew exponentially. From 2019 to 2020, the program went from serving just 50 sandwiches to preparing and distributing more than 4,500 meals. What started under the trees on the South Common soon needed more space. We moved to Paul’s Place behind Qualters Middle School, thanks to the continued generosity of Mansfield Public Schools. Volunteers came together—masked, gloved, and determined—to make sure no child went hungry during one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history. In just 11 weeks during that first COVID summer alone, we gave out hundreds of grocery bags and over $7,000 in grocery gift cards to local families.
Original Nourish to Flourish banner from our inaugural program in 2019.
Nourish to Flourish volunteers at Paul's Place during the 2020 program.
Over the years, we have teamed up with the local community to continue to provide the meals to those who need them. Each week, we prepare and deliver three breakfasts and three lunches per child—each one including a fresh fruit or vegetable, thanks to the generous support of Nassif Produce. Food drives led by the Mansfield Police Department, Mansfield neighborhoods, local churches, businesses, and more have helped keep shelves stocked and meals flowing. We do our best to bring extra joy to distribution days: donuts, fresh pizza, cookies, chips and salsa, all from local shops —small touches that make a big difference to a child’s day. At our final summer distribution each year, we provide ice cream treats and school supplies to help students start the new school year with confidence. Since 2019, Nourish to Flourish has served over 32,000 meals to the children of Mansfield. That number reflects more than just food—it reflects community, care, and a promise to show up for one another, one meal and one summer at a time.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this program during the summer months, please click here.
If you or your company would like to support us through a monetary or food donation, please click here.
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