Port Houston partnered with the Houston Food Bank on a new community project called Keegan’s Kitchen Aug. 30, providing a total of 5,500 prepared meals to the Houston region.

The Houston Food Bank opened Keegan’s Kitchen in 2017 with the purpose of providing up to 20,000 nutritious meals each day to children around Houston. The prepared meals go to participating Kid's Cafe locations, which include elementary schools, community centers and local YMCAs.

Nearly 70 Port Houston employees worked two different shifts throughout the morning at the food bank. One group prepared individual meals in Keegan’s Kitchen, while the second group evaluated and sorted food, personal health and medical donations.

The Houston Food Bank hosts a number of programs specifically designed to engage and energize volunteers. In 2017, more than 50 Port Houston volunteers from across terminals created 3,500 backpacks filled with personal hygiene items for children who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“Not only does the Houston Food Bank do so much for our local neighbors, but they provide a meaningful and fun volunteer experience for our Port Houston team members,” said Garret Berg, assistant community relations manager for Port Houston. “Their impact on the community is through the help of many individuals, groups and companies.”

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Port Houston volunteers had their hands full (of cordgrass) this spring, as they partnered with the Galveston Bay Foundation on several environmental stewardship projects focused on beautifying and restoring the bay.

Port Houston’s Community Relations and Events department was invited to take part in the foundation’s Education Day by the Bay May 10, as part of its environmental education programs. Held at the foundation’s newly purchased property in Kemah, the program hosted more than 100 students from Westbrook Intermediate School.

This unique, educational event was developed to engage students through hands-on activities, teaching them how to further protect, restore and maintain the health of Galveston Bay. 

Port Houston team members from across the organization were back at it again just a few days later for the 20th anniversary of Marsh Mania, held March 12 at Virginia Point near Galveston.

Port Houston team members joined dozens of local community members for the nationally recognized Texas Parks and Wildlife project, planting over 10,500 stems of cordgrass to create almost an acre of new marsh habitat near the Campbell Bayou.

“Thanks to all our volunteers and their families for coming out to support this important cause,” said Garret Berg, assistant community relations manager at Port Houston. “Coastal wetlands play an essential role in the overall health of Galveston Bay, and we appreciate all the individuals and organizations that participated.”

In its 20 years, Marsh Mania has involved more than 8,000 community volunteers in the restoration of roughly 209 acres of vital estuarine marsh habitat at 92 sites around Galveston Bay.

Port Houston’s next environmental outreach event with the Galveston Bay Foundation will be the Oyster Reef Restoration Project, scheduled for Saturday, July 21 in Galveston.

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Port Houston continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to education, whether from inside the classroom, at the workplace and beyond. Port Houston strives to increase public awareness with students in the community regarding the port and its role in the local, regional, and national economy.

For the third consecutive year, port Houston employees volunteered at Port Houston Elementary, a Houston Independent School District facility located near the Turning Basin Terminal, as part of Junior Achievement Day.  

This educational partnership features members of the community helping students understand the relationship between what they learn in school and their successful participation in society, while also encouraging them to achieve their highest potential.

Junior Achievement Day allows companies and organizations to interact with students and deliver grade-specific information and activities throughout a single designated school day. The students learn the basic concepts of business and economics and how their education is significant in the workplace.

“This year’s team had a great time partnering with Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas to teach and inspire over 215 students,  said Garret Berg, assistant community relations manager for Port Houston. “The “JA Day” program focuses on bringing volunteers into local schools to teach students about work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.”

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Did you know that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of seafarers, as well as of children? Port Houston is proud to continue a wonderful tradition of spreading holiday cheer by providing small gifts to visiting seafarers through the “Shoeboxes for Seafarers” program.  The program, which has been running for more than 40 years, is organized by the Houston International Seafarers’ Center.  

This holiday season, Port Houston packaged and delivered more than 60 wrapped shoeboxes to the Center, after collecting money, shoeboxes and items for the project.

Each box included daily personal products such as soap, a pair of socks, shampoo and a toothbrush, as well as other fun items like a deck of cards, sunglasses and candy.  Additionally, each box contained a special holiday greeting created by Port Houston team members.  

“Every year, the Seafarers’ Center hands out more than 10,000 shoeboxes, packed and wrapped by churches and community groups all over the Houston area, to visiting seaman.  Although the Port Houston team plays a small part in these larger efforts, we know our contributions help make this season special for those seafarers who are away from their families during the holidays,” said Leslie Herbst, director of community relations and events for Port Houston.

The Houston International Seafarers’ Center serves as a home away from home for the men and women that travel aboard ocean-going vessels. The center’s new restaurant at the Port of Houston Turning Basin is expected to open in December 2017.

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Port Houston staff participated at Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s “KBR Kids Day” event at Guadeloupe Plaza Park Oct. 7.

As one of the founding partners of the Partnership's “Clean and Green Program,” Port Houston was at the event celebrating the 10th anniversary of these special bayou clean-up efforts.

The “Clean and Green” year-round program was designed to eliminate trash from Houston's historic Buffalo Bayou, including where it meets the Port of Houston, one of the world's most dynamic seaports.

KBR Kids Day is one of the Partnership’s signature events with thousands of children and families attending every year. Guests enjoyed activity stations, entertainment, food and games. Port Houston had a model display of the Houston Ship Channel for visitors to engage with throughout the morning.

“This is a fun learning experience for the kids. We had a great time visiting with the community, educating them about the Houston Ship Channel and the history and significance of this Texas waterway,” said Trae Camble, environmental compliance coordinator at Port Houston.

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Port Houston teamed up with Hermann Park Conservancy to host more than 600 riders at this year’s annual “Park to Port” Bike Ride Oct. 7.

The 20-mile round trip guides riders from Hermann Park’s Bayou Parkland east along the Bayou Greenway trail to Brady’s Landing, located near the Turning Basin of the Houston Ship Channel.

Port Houston partners with Hermann Park Conservancy and sponsors the turn-around event each year, with snacks, drinks and music. The antique Port of Houston fire truck made a special appearance and created a great backdrop for folks interested in capturing a fun selfie or group shot. Port Houston volunteers visited with riders and cheered them on as they began the return leg of the ride.

Proceeds from the ride benefit the Hermann Park Conservatory, a nonprofit organization that is responsible for maintaining and improving the park system. 

“Thank you to Hermann Park Conservancy as well as to all the riders and volunteers who participated in this year’s “Park to Port” event. We enjoyed a great turnout and always appreciate the opportunity to welcome folks to the Port of Houston, especially those who may be experiencing the port for the first time,” said Leslie Herbst, director of community relations and special events for Port Houston.

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