Fighting Child Hunger in Round Rock: Monica von Waaden's Mission to Feed 5,000 Students Weekly
Found this article helpful?
Share it with your network and spread the knowledge!
In the heart of Central Texas, where one in four children faces hunger, Monica von Waaden is leading a remarkable fight. As the founder of Hope Austin and Hope Round Rock, von Waaden has transformed a modest 5x6 storage unit into a Wednesday delivery operation that feeds more than 5,000 students across multiple school districts every week—all without a single paid staff member.
On Episode 85 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, hosted by Bryan Eisenberg, von Waaden shares the inspiring journey and the mission behind her nonprofit. The episode, published August 4, 2026, delves into the organization's innovative approach to child hunger, focusing on nutritious meals that go beyond typical snacks.
Hope Austin engineers backpack meal kits with 68 to 73 grams of protein, swapping ramen for whole-grain 'Woodles' and stocking items like Cooper Street granola bars, shelf-stable yogurt, almonds, and reduced-sugar cereals. This thoughtful design ensures children receive the sustenance they need to thrive academically and physically.
The organization manages eight nutritional programs with around 60 volunteer drivers and has plans to expand into Hutto for the 2026 school year. Von Waaden's leadership philosophy, rooted in a mentor's advice that 'anything worth doing is worth doing wrong,' drives her relentless pursuit of impact.
'An education is the best commodity we can give our children,' von Waaden tells Eisenberg. 'An education will break generational lines of poverty.' This conviction is echoed in a touching story she shares about a second grader in Round Rock ISD who approached her after a summer delivery:
'I don't know your name, but I know that you feed me, and that really makes my mommy very happy.'
The episode also explores themes of leadership and succession. Von Waaden discusses how her son Alex rose from the bottom of the family's Panera franchise in St. Louis to become its president, while her older son Nicholas is set to graduate medical school. She credits partnerships with organizations like Heavenly Beds, Leadership Round Rock, and the Round Rock Chamber ambassador program for amplifying the mission's reach.
Drawing a parallel to the cautionary tale of Kodak—referenced by previous guest and White House photographer David Valdez—Eisenberg and von Waaden reflect on the necessity of evolution and adaptability, even for established entities.