About Us

Food Support. Life Skills. Stronger Communities.

Nourish Ability carries forward a community-driven mission that began in 2012 with the LISD Food Backpack Program.

About Nourish Ability

Our Story

Our roots began in 2012, when a Leander ISD teacher and a registrar recognized the challenges faced by students and families experiencing food insecurity, particularly on weekends. They saw how limited access to nutritious food affected students’ ability to focus in the classroom and contributed to attendance challenges. Research showed that providing daily snacks and nutritious weekend meals could help improve student attendance and academic performance. Following the implementation of the LISD Food Backpack Program, data showed improvements in student attendance and academic success.

Inspired to make a difference, they founded Student Charities, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing weekend food bags to families in need. This initiative became the LISD Food Backpack Program. As the program grew, local high school students with disabilities joined the effort by helping pack food bags, alongside young adults with disabilities who contributed to packing and delivering food.

Over time, the LISD Food Backpack Program evolved into more than a source of food assistance for Leander ISD students and families. It also became a meaningful opportunity for young adults with disabilities to develop valuable workplace and life skills, fostering independence, confidence, and a sense of purpose while serving their community. Today, Nourish Ability carries this mission forward by nourishing families and empowering young adults with disabilities to build skills, independence, and brighter futures.

Young adults preparing food bags for Leander ISD families

Hands-On Opportunity

Building Confidence, Independence & Workplace Skills

The program moved into LISD 18+ Transition Services, allowing young adults to become fully involved in the process of planning, shopping, packing and delivery of weekend food bags.

These hands-on experiences provide opportunities to develop workplace skills, confidence, independence, teamwork, communication, responsibility and community participation.

  • Food preparation
  • Packing
  • Inventory
  • Quality control
  • Organization
  • Time management
  • Customer service
  • Distribution
  • Recordkeeping

Our Mission

Two Needs. One Mission.

The mission of Nourish Ability is to support Leander ISD students and families in need through nutritious food assistance to provide weekend food bags by empowering young adults with disabilities through meaningful opportunities that build confidence, independence, workplace skills, and a sense of belonging while strengthening and nourishing the local community.

Address Food Insecurity

Support Leander ISD students and families in need through nutritious weekend food bags that help improve access to nutritious food.

Empower Young Adults

Offer meaningful work, volunteer, educational and community-service opportunities that build confidence, independence, teamwork, communication, responsibility and community participation.

Continuing the Work

Nourishing the Local Community

As we transition from Student Charities to Nourish Ability, we remain committed to carrying forward our mission of supporting Leander ISD students and families facing food insecurity while empowering young adults with disabilities. Through meaningful, hands-on opportunities, Nourish Ability helps these young adults build confidence, develop independence, strengthen essential workplace skills, and foster a sense of purpose and belonging.

To broaden our reach and deepen our impact, Nourish Ability partners with schools, families, businesses, food banks, community organizations, volunteers, and other charitable partners. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive community—one that nourishes families, empowers young adults with disabilities, and creates opportunities for everyone to thrive.