What started as a simple idea to reduce plastic waste has grown into an award-winning student business. Meet the founders of Next Use, four incoming seniors from The Village School in Houston who are giving thousands of used plastic bags a second life by transforming them into handcrafted tote bags and pouches. The teens share how they collected more than 3,500 plastic bags and representing Houston at Junior Achievement's Future Bound National Competition at Boston University, where they earned the Johnson & Johnson STEM Innovation Award. They also discuss their mission to expand plastic bag collection efforts and inspire others to make small changes that can have a lasting impact.

Trae Tha Truth discusses Trae Day 2026, community service, humanitarian efforts, helping earthquake victims in Venezuela and ways Houstonians can give back.

Bridge The Gaps is helping Houston students through mentorship, educational programs, holiday outreach, and real-life resources designed to support underserved youth and families. Leaders from the nonprofit join Houston Life to share how their programs are making an impact in local schools and how the community can support their upcoming Giveback Kickback fundraiser.

After being laid off in May 2025, Houston content creator David Dominguez began using Meta smart glasses to spotlight overlooked small businesses at farmers markets, leading to viral videos and dramatically increased sales for featured vendors.

The Astros pitcher & Academy gave each child $200 to spend and donated $1,000 to BEAR Houston.

Frontier employees volunteered with Candlelighters’ Adopt-A-Family program to buy, wrap and hand-deliver gifts for children and families facing childhood cancer.

Gexa Energy volunteers spent the afternoon at St. Dominic Village, hosting holiday bingo, sharing pastries and bringing therapy dogs to brighten the season for Houston seniors.

A conversation with a Houston woman who was one of 24 children adopted by a faith-based shelter -- the Mission of Yahweh. They help with transitional housing for hundreds of women and their children. How she's paying it forward and how your donation can help them reach even more people in dire situations.

See how work creates purpose at the Brookwood Community, and plan your visit to tour the campus and meet the Citizens during Brookwood's annual Open House event.

This new facility is set to triple the number of meals provided to Houston's children in need, expanding from 10,000 to a potential 26,000 meals a day by 2031.

Gexa employees took their lunch hour to create over 200 toys for dogs and cats at the Houston Humane Society.

It’s On Us Sports Academy in Southwest Houston mentors and trains young athletes, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, using sports to impart life skills such as communication, discipline, and resilience.

Houston Texans star Jalen Pitre is making big plays on, and off the field! From his PitreBoyz Foundation, to being honored at the city of Stafford's Juneteenth festival last weekend, Lauren Kelly caught up with the Houston-native all about his impactful work in our local community. Transcript

Houston is home to some of the best doctors in the world, and some of those doctors have incredible talent outside the operating room. On May 3rd, the 'Doctor's in Recital' concert is happening at the River Oaks Theater, benefiting UTHealth's pediatric surgery burn program. Today we met some of the doctors/musicians who will be on stage.

It's "World Wish Day" and we met a 9-year-old from Sugar Land who is making a big impact. Instead of using her wish for a trip or something for herself, Aria Momin decided to create an impact that will continue to grow for generations. Watch her full interview in the player above for more on her efforts and how it all happened.

This annual event has raised more than a million dollars for the Houston Food Bank. The 19th annual Empty Bowls Houston will take place Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get a preview of this year's event with some special guests in studio.

Here's how you can make a difference for those impacted by the devastating California wildfires.Houston rapper and philanthropist Trae Tha Truth and his ReliefGang had boots on the ground this week helping out the hardest hit areas. He's continuing the mission right here in Houston with local organizations, watch the player above to see how you can join the effort and learn more about a recent family scare involving his daughter, Truth.

Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. visits patients at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for Children.

The Freedom Child Foundation is keeping children with incarcerated parents, connected. The non-profit acts as a lifeline for these kids to help them stay in contact by phone, letters, and in-person visits. The non-profit was founded by Wandjell Harvey-Robinson whose parents were both incarcerated when she was just 8-years-old. Watch the player above for her to learn more about the inspiration behind the Freedom Child Foundation.

Local sommeliers from some of Houston’s top restaurants and wine bars are gearing up to compete in the city’s premier wine competition and tasting event, known as Iron Sommelier. See what's ahead for this year's competition and how funds raised support the Periwinkle Foundation and its programs for children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

From meals to mentorship, how local non-profit Bridge The Gaps is making a difference for at-risk kids. With thousands of volunteer hours throughout the organization, their efforts are giving students the resources they need to succeed in every aspect of life.

He's a James Beard award-winning chef and one of our favorite TV hosts; Chris Shepherd is in the host seat. We caught up with him as he gets set to premiere season 2 of 'Eat Like a Local' this Saturday.While you may be used to seeing him right here on KPRC, it's what he does behind the scenes to support Houston food and beverage workers that's even more impressive. His Southern Smoke Foundation is expanding to help those in crisis across the nation. We found out exactly how it's helping on an SSF takeover of Houston Life.

Houston Texans players and legends are coming together this holiday season to give away several bikes to Houston ISD students.

Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair and foundation vice president Hannah McNair award grants

They say that music can touch your soul and heal your wounds. If that’s true, then the Hill family of Houston, with eight children, has needed music in the worst way just to heal.

Several officers with the Houston Police Department will accompany dozens of children on a pre-Christmas shopping spree at a Target store on Tuesday.

Are you looking for ways to give back this holiday season? If so, the City Wide Club is still looking for volunteers for the annual Grab ‘n Go or Sit ‘n Sup Super Feasts.

The Houston Firefighter Calendar goes on sale November 1. Proceeds benefit Houston Firefighters, their families, and burned and injured children in the area.

One woman’s passion project to restore an oyster reef that was destroyed during Hurricane Ike is making history.

The Houston Texans, ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Ashley announced they will award $400,000 to local nonprofits and educational programs through the 2023 Inspire Change Grant.

When it comes to giving back to the hometown he loves, being one of the best power forwards in the NBA, and unique style, Los Angeles Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt is no stranger.

The Houston Federal Bureau of Investigations is adding a special addition to the team who inspires us all to keep on going.

Four hundred students in Houston’s Historic Fifth Ward got new shoes Wednesday evening.

Houston-area business Be More Pacific: Filipino Kitchen & Bar showed its support for the Filipino community with its third lumpia-eating contest in an effort to give back to small businesses.

A Houston non-profit organization that helps child cancer patients suffered a devastating setback after their storage unit was allegedly burglarized on Sunday.

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott made a $3 million donation to Houston’s Collaborative for Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to early childhood education.

For the 10th year in a row, KPRC 2 has partnered with the Houston Habitat For Humanity to help build homes for deserving families in the area.

Local Comedian Tommy Berretz, is the founder of Project Punchline, doing comedy and supporting notable causes. He is a Comedian, Actor, Producer, and Serial Entrepreneur. He tours internationally as a Comedian and has been lucky enough to be cast in popular films like Tartarus: The Devil’s Basement, Illusionary, and Viking Academy with Zach King.

Kelsey and Cambel’s Kids Care support book drives, women’s shelters and more

If you didn’t get a chance to participate this holiday season - no worries - you can always help next year because the “gift of giving” has no expiration date.

On Monday, the city of Houston hosted an all-day food donation drive to save a Thanksgiving tradition.

The Spencer Solves It team is looking for five families who have had a horrible year and are now facing the fact they will not have enough money to provide their children with presents or any kind of Christmas celebration. Then Bill will gift those families with 2,500 dollars to buy gifts and also with brand new bicycles for all of their children.

The cost to gather around the Thanksgiving table is costlier this year, although estimates suggest record inflation may be on the decline.

If you know his name, you probably know his food. Arnaldo Richards, Owner & Executive Chef of Pico’s, said his legacy isn’t just his food.

One of the best gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones this holiday season -- is the gift of a better night’s sleep.

A Houston area attorney just received a $10,000 grant from AT&T to continue helping young girls across the Houston area.

The story behind these heroes and how you can help support their mission

The power of social media!

Princess Jackson is on a mission to stomp out poverty in Houston and across the world.

HOUSTON – If you’ve been affected by the winter storm, Reagan Bregman and husband, Astros’ third baseman Alex Bregman have teamed up with Brothers Produce and The Astros Foundation to deliver cases of water to people in need. More than 18,000 cases of water will be distributed tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m. at the Astros Urban Youth Academy. 18,000 + cases will be given away tomorrow 9am at 2801 S. Victory Drive in Houston, TX — Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) February 19, 2021There will be an additional giveaway on Sunday at Butler Stadium. Sunday’s water giveaway will be at Butler Stadium at 2pm 13755 S. Main Street Houston, TX — Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) February 19, 2021For more information on The Astros Foundation, click here.

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A Kentucky couple is working to help students forced into distance learning by to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim and Gloria Hollifield started “Marshall County Desks,” a program that gives students free desks. They assemble desks for virtual learners in order to create a productive space for children at home. Every school in Marshall County has received desks. His wife Gloria makes “goodie” baskets that go along with them.

HOUSTON You've probably have seen Daniella Correa, supporting her husband Carlos Correa on Astros games, or you have seen her videos on social media as a lifestyle and beauty blogger. But shes stepping into a new role to help underserved childhood cancer patients through the Correa Family Foundation where she serves as Vice-President. Cameron Gooch and Astros players (Correa Family Foundation)The couple became close friends with Cameron, before he tragically passed away on November 2018. Daniella Correa and Cameron Gooch (Correa Family Foundation)The limited-edition Essence Rose Gold Butterfly Surprise Locket from Faberg is available at their store in The Galleria. Daniella Correa (Faberg)10% of proceeds from the sale of each piece will go to the Correa Family Foundation, and 10% on any sales within the Houston boutique will also be given to the foundation when clients mention The Correa Family Foundation before Dec. 31.

During these difficult times, an 8-year old in South Carolina is doing what he can to help others. Greyson Winfield can be seen giving through his organization called Helping Footprint.Greyson collects donations that are then used to buy gift cards for food or to help pay bills for families. The young man mows lawns for busy first responders and single mothers. Greyson says he wants to make the world a better place and work towards becoming like former President John F. Kennedy. He also wants to be a Navy Seal.