HBU students returning to campus in the fall of 2020 will have a greater ability to focus upon their education without worry of food insecurity thanks to a $100,000 grant from The Cullen Trust for Higher Education. The Cullen Trust, with The Spirit Golf Association’s Spirit Food Fund, will provide an opportunity for the University community to benefit from Houston Food Bank resources, including receiving much-needed healthy food for students and their families.
HBU President Robert Sloan said, “Corby Robertson and The Cullen Trust for Higher Education, along with The Spirit Golf Association and the Houston Food Bank, are taking a generous role of leadership with respect to feeding hungry people in the Houston area. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic shutdown has devastated families financially, and there are many hungry people who need help. We at HBU, in the footsteps of Jesus, are privileged to be a partner in the process of feeding multitudes. We encourage as many Houstonians as possibly can to join us in this effort.”
Chairman of The Cullen Trust, Corby Robertson, Jr., said, “We’re grateful to partner with HBU and the Houston Food Bank to support fellow Texans in need. The Spirit Food Fund was created to help our neighbors. Please join our caring community by volunteering to serve!”
Amy Ragan, chief development officer of the Houston Food Bank, said, “We look forward to this new partnership with Houston Baptist University and working together to provide much-needed healthy food for students and their families. We understand the importance of providing lean proteins, produce and other healthy products so these students are able to better focus on their education.”
The University ranks fifth in diversity among Regional Universities West according to the U.S. News & World Report, and has the distinction of being a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Among approximately 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students, about one-third are first-generation college students, and half of those students are Pell Grant eligible.
About The Spirit Golf Association
The Spirit Golf Association (SGA) is a 501 (c) (3) charity dedicated to the promotion of amateur golf for the benefit of supporting basic human needs for providing food, education and health programs and services. The SGA is the host organization of the premier amateur golf championship, The Spirit International, and home to Whispering Pines Golf Club, ranked by Golfweek as the #1 course in Texas and #24 on its Top 100 Modern Courses list. The SGA has contributed more than $13 million to its charitable activities: The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship and healthcare service providers such as Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics, Medical Bridges and The Immunization Partnership. In 2017, The Spirit Golf Association responded to the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts by directing funds to Harvey victims through the United Way, Houston Food Bank, KIPP, Yellowstone Academy and the Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics. Learn more about The Spirit Golf Association.