The Community Impact Award, funded by the Lockton family, recognizes Associates who exceed expectations in improving their communities through volunteerism and philanthropy. This recognition enables each award recipient to direct a $25,000 donation to a charity of their choice. Darlene Holleman's commitment to Kids' Meals, a nonprofit organization that helps bridge the hunger gap for children in Houston, Texas, earned her this recognition.

Over the past two years, Darlene Holleman has championed Kids' Meals by integrating knowledge and awareness about children’s food insecurity into Lockton's culture through hands-on volunteerism, holiday giving, and a deep commitment to expanding its reach and impact.

Kids' Meals started as a small nonprofit in 2006 with just two vans delivering meals to hungry preschoolers in two zip codes in Houston, Texas. Today, two decades later, the organization now serves 56 zip codes across Greater Houston and is predicting even more growth in the coming years.

The collaboration between Lockton and Kids' Meals began two years ago, when Darlene rejoined Lockton. "I worked with Kids' Meals at a prior employer, and I did not realize how many preschool-aged children live in an insecure meal environment [in Houston]. One in four Houston preschool-aged kids do not have food security," Darlene said.

Seeing this pain in her own community inspired her to introduce community impact initiatives in Houston, and they were a tremendous success.

Over the past two years, Associates in the Houston office have held numerous events that benefit Kids' Meals, including multiple trips to their facility to make meals and package food, decorating brown bags for lunch donations, and even making holiday wishes come true through Kids' Meals' “Adopt a Family” program at Christmas time. All led by Darlene.

She said that the turnout at each of these events was amazing. "At Lockton, it is hard not to get involved in the culture, because it is just who we are. That comes from top down and bottom up."

Darlene's commitment to providing food security to children in the greater Houston area is not only exceptional but vital. "Because of rising food costs, this donation will help provide 12,500 lunches for our community," Darlene said.

"The monetary value that I am going to give to Kids' Meals is exciting. I called my friend over at Kids' Meals, and they said this funding came at a perfect time. This donation will help them to keep providing meals to the children across Houston," Darlene said.

The impact that Kids' Meals have within both Darlene's Houston community and her Lockton community is immense.

During the school year, the organization delivers approximately 9,000 free, healthy meals daily. When school is out, every child in a family that works with Kids' Meals, up to the age of 18, also receives meals. In the summer, this translates to over 16,000 meals delivered per day.

"I think it has brought awareness to us about how many people are in an insecure food environment. I think that was an eye opener for a lot of our Associates," Darlene said. However, her work has been so successful due to the Lockton culture.

“The culture here at Lockton makes you want to do good for other people and also to be part of the family. I think that really drives each of us to be a better person all around, whether it's in the community or at Lockton serving our clients,” Darlene said.

Darlene has big plans for the future of Kids' Meals at Lockton, including engaging more Associates to participate and volunteer with their teams for this organization, as well as expanding their holiday family adoption program to more families.

“As we grow here in Houston, we can serve more people and have a bigger impact in the community.”

In addition to putting her goals into action, Darlene hopes to continue educating Lockton Associates about their local Houston community and the issue of food insecurity in that area. "It makes us realize how fortunate we are to work at Lockton and that we should be giving back and helping those who are less fortunate in our communities."

Thank you, Darlene, for your commitment to making a meaningful community impact!