Houston Food Bank steps up food distribution as thousands face interrupted SNAP benefits, missed paychecks
Starting on Nov. 1, the food bank will launch several food distribution sites across Houston, providing food to 15,000 federal workers and SNAP recipients each week. The distributions will include protein, produce, dairy and carbohydrates.
The Houston Food Bank is stepping up in a major way to help families who will be impacted by federal aid, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits being cut from thousands of Houston area families this weekend.
Texas SNAP benefits are typically added to Lone Star Cards on a rolling schedule throughout the first 28 days of each month, helping 425,000 households locally and 3.56 million Texans statewide. But with new benefits temporarily stopped, many families are already entering November with zero left on their cards.
To help bridge the gap quickly, the food bank and its partners are launching special “super distribution” events that require pre-registration for those impacted by paycheck loss or lapsed SNAP benefits.
Now, the Houston Food Bank is stepping up its efforts. On Tuesday, the food bank announced an expanded food distribution activation to help Houstonians in need.
Starting on Nov. 1, the food bank will launch several food distribution sites across Houston, providing food to 15,000 federal workers and SNAP recipients each week. The distributions will include protein, produce, dairy and carbohydrates.
With federal workers missing paychecks and SNAP benefits set to pause for hundreds of thousands of Texans, the Houston Food Bank is activating an expanded emergency response to make sure families don’t go without groceries.
“Losing a paycheck is very much an emergency,” said Houston Food Bank President and CEO Brian Greene. “We’re treating this like a hurricane. Families are hurting and we’re stepping up like Houston always does.”
Greene emphasized just how quickly everyday stability can unravel.
“When you miss one paycheck, that’s bad. You miss three paychecks, for almost anybody, that’s a complete disaster.”
The Houston Food Bank says anyone can seek assistance through its regular partner network, even if their pay or benefits have not been interrupted, by using the organization’s “Find Food” map or calling 211.
Those whose SNAP benefits or paychecks have been disrupted due to the ongoing federal shutdown can register for support at special distribution events planned across the region, including at HISD Barnett Stadium on Oct. 29, NRG Stadium and Catholic Charities in Richmond on Nov. 1, and additional dates throughout November at Bethel’s Heavenly Hands and Catholic Charities. 
Registered participants will receive a confirmation code and are asked to bring it, along with a photo ID if available, to the site. The food bank says more locations may be added and encourages residents with questions to call 211 or 1-877-541-7905, visit 211texas.org, or email info@houstonfoodbank.org.
Also, starting on Tuesday, KPRC 2 News is partnering with the Houston Food Bank by donating non-perishable food items.
Starting at 12 p.m. on Oc. 28, KPRC 2 will begin collecting items at our station located at 8181 Southwest Freeway. You can either drop off items in person or contribute financially by donating directly to the Houston Food Bank’s website.
Full statement from President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, Brian Greene:
As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week and cancellation of November SNAP benefits was confirmed, Houston Food Bank and our community partners as well as food banks across the country are committed to meeting immediate needs while continuing long-term work to build food security and economic stability.
We are working on plans to help those directly impacted by the government shutdown – federal employees who have already been missing paychecks and SNAP recipients who are losing assistance to purchase groceries at local retailers – and will announce these tomorrow.
The shutdown’s impact is big in Texas. The Lone Star State is one of the largest SNAP states in the nation, and Houston is home to a high concentration of federal and contract employees.
In Houston Food Bank’s 18-county service area alone, more than 425,000 households will be left without much-needed SNAP benefits to help buy groceries; and more than 55,000 federal and military workers are already missing paychecks.
While food banks work hard to provide food assistance to families in need, they cannot fully make up the gap left by a SNAP disruption. SNAP provides nine meals for every one meal that food banks provide, so even a short disruption creates a huge strain on charitable systems.
Our goal is to respond quickly, efficiently and with dignity for those in need of assistance, some whom have never needed it before.
As always, those in need of assistance can find out agency locator map at HoustonFoodBank.org or call 211.
