Stress-free Dinners for the Family

Over 1,000 ready-to serve-dinners are delivered to all staff in PrincipalsConnect schools during Food Hugs weeks.

Logo for FoodHucs, a PrincipalsConnect Program, with the text 'FoodHucs' in blue and an orange heart with a smiley face, and the subtitle 'A PrincipalsConnect Program' in blue.

Our teachers' work does not end with the school day. They go home to families and do more classroom work after their family is in bed. Not having to think about dinner is a huge relief. Many school staff are SNAP (food assistance) recipients and have told us that they didn't know where their next meal would have come from.

Enter PrincipalsConnect. We tested the family meal program with a couple schools. Teachers raved about the impact it had, and we launched it to all our schools. When one of our teachers received her family meal, she told volunteer and program inventor Diana Keating that our dinners felt like a big hug—a Food Hug—and the name stuck. Now, every six weeks, we deliver over 1,000 ready-to serve-dinners to all staff in PrincipalsConnect schools.

We partner with Cosentino’s, The ProspectKC and the culinary high school students at Manual Career Tech Center High School to provide take-home family meals for every teacher and school staff.

PrincipalsConnect Founder tells the story.

What Our KC Educators are Saying About Food Hugs…

“I came to school and I was like YES, this is awesome! I have two little kids, and this helps me tremendously. It's a lifesaver, so thank you!”

— Miss Lawrence, Teacher

“As a single, childless, first-year teacher, this program has helped me more than I’d like to admit. I live paycheck to paycheck. Although I don’t have a family, having these generous portions truly helped me stay afloat.”

“I just think this is the best thing ever! I have been teaching since 1985 and no one has ever done this for us before! I so appreciate it!! Thank you!!!!!!”

— KC Teacher

— KC Teacher

Logos of various sponsors thanking for 2024-2025 Food Hugs sponsorships, including School Smart KC, JE Dunn Construction, Evergy, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City Royals Foundation, The Sosland Foundation, Hallmark, Sherman Family Foundation, and Francis Family Foundation.

“You truly care about us. You are the most concrete and appreciated program.”

KC Teacher
UMKC Research Open Response

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Our most beloved program, discover how we deliver 6000 family meals a year to 18 Kansas City area schools

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Exclusives

PrincipalsConnect has partnered with local KC retailers and attractions that provide discounts to our teachers.