July 18, 2025
AUSTIN, Texas — Families gathered today at the Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center (SEHWC) for a community summer lunch event designed to combat food insecurity and support childhood development.
The event is part of a long-standing partnership between Central Health, Sendero Health Plans, and the Central Texas Food Bank to provide free, nutritious meals to children and their families during the summer months. For many children, school lunches might be the only meal they can count on each day, so the summer months can mean a lack of access to adequate food. The collaboration supports the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federally funded initiative that ensures children receive health meals even when school is out.
“It really is an important contribution to the community and food instability is a really scary thing,” said Sharon J Alvis, CEO of Sendero Health Plans, who volunteered at this event. “Food insecurity is just an incredibly challenging health care issue, and what’s what we must recognize. We just think it’s consistent with our mission.”
In addition to providing free daily lunches to children and teens, Central Health and Sendero take the extra step of sponsoring adult meals, ensuring that entire families have access to nutritious meals.
This summer, the Southeast Health & Wellness Center also launched its first-ever summer enrichment curriculum with engaging activities for children including straw rocket launches, creative coloring, storytelling and resource booths.
The summer lunch program at SEHWC builds upon a partnership that began in 2014 between Central Health, Sendero Health Plans, and the Central Texas Food Bank. Central Health plans to continue that partnership to improve food access and health care for underserved communities in Travis County.
The Southeast Health & Wellness Center, 2901 Montopolis Drive, will have free meals for children and adults from 11 a.m.—1 p.m. each weekday through Aug 8.