Reach out for relief by dropping by these food distribution locations and pantries, or enrolling for nutrition assistance at national and local programs available in the Greater Houston area.
If times are tough and you’re an individual or family in need of food, there are many organizations around the city of Houston and beyond that are here to help.
We’ve compiled national and local programs, food distribution sites, food pantries, and other resource programs available through nonprofit organizations, local governments, ministries and more that want to help provide nutritional needs to those in crisis. Scroll down to find the resources nearest you.
National Food Assistance Programs
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – If you’re in need of financial assistance to purchase nutritional goods, the SNAP program will provide eligible individuals and families with SNAP benefits through a debit card that is automatically reloaded each month. Click here to read more about the SNAP program and to begin applying.
- WIC – The Special Supplemental Nutirition Program for Women, Infants and Children (commonly known as WIC) provides additional nutritional assistance for low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to the age of 5 with supplemental nutritious foods, education, and healthcare referrals. Click here for more information or here to check eligibility and to apply.
Local Food Assistance Programs & Services
Food Finders & Assistance Resources
These resources help to connect those in need with nearby food distribution sites or other community services based on their essential needs.
- 2-1-1 – Operated by Texas Health and Human Services, those in need can contact by phone or on the internet to receive information on local health and human services programs. From the main website, enter what you need (for example, “food”) and your zip code to find resources nearest you. Click here for more information on this and other services.
- Crowdsource Rescue – This crowdsourced platform enlists the help of volunteers to deliver food and essential needs to those in need. Click here to request assistance for your needs.
- Salvation Army Houston – If you have difficulty obtaining groceries and other household items, whether financially or because of health conditions, you can notify Salvation Army of your needs and they can help direct you to the nearest resource. Click here for more information on this, veterans’ housing, crisis assistance, and other programs.
- School Meal Finder – Using the School Meal Finder, users can check what locations around them are offering meal distributions, schedules, and dates of the program’s availability by entering “Houston, TX” into the search bar. Click here for more information.
- USDA Meals for Kids Finder – Through the Summer Food Service Program, USDA is helping to provide meals to students that may rely on free or reduced-price meals at school to get the nutrition they need. Using this tool, you can input your zip code and see participating locations in your area along with days and hours of operation. Click here for more information on this and other USDA programs.
- WhyHunger – Search for “Houston, TX” in the top searchbar on this site to see a plethora of food distribution sites that are serving those in need throughout the Greater Houston community. Please note that not all information may be up to date so users are encouraged to call ahead to be sure of procedures. Click here for more information.
Food Distribution Sites & Pantries in Houston
These resources are food distribution sites, food pantries and other food assistance resources found in Houston.
- Houston Food Bank – The city’s main hub for food pantry information, Houston Food Bank has ramped up their food distribution efforts during the Coronavirus pandemic. On their site, you can view locations and schedules of food distributions taking place across the Greater Houston area through hundreds of partners within Houston Food Bank’s support network. Click here for more information.
- HISD No-Cost Healthy Summer Meals Program – From HISD, this summer program provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack to children ages 1 to 18 at no charge through various distribution sites across the Houston area. Please note that the program has been disrupted by Coronavirus and will be limiting where food can be picked up through Monday, July 20, 2020. Click here for more information on distribution sites and changes to the schedule.
- Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston – Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston has helped provide meals with drive-thru food distribution, as well as other family services. From their homepage, users can click “Family Resources” to find the next event and locations for food services. Click here for more information.
- Emergency Aid Coalition– Two food pantries are open to those in need of emergency aid, from Monday to Friday at 8:30am to noon. There are certain documents required in order to access these food pantries, so please be sure to review those requirements. Click here for more information.
- Harris County Area Agency on Aging: Meals on Wheels – Nutrition programs through this Houston Health Department-supported agency aim to eliminate food insecurity for older, vulnerable adults with home-delivered meals (through the Meals on Wheels program) to adults 60 years and older throughout the Harris County area. In addition, you can find information on assistance referrals, financial help and other services. Click here for more information.
- Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry – In the Woodlands Heights area, this food pantry is offering pre-bagged groceries with socially distanced distribution on Thursdays and Saturdays. Click here to read more about how they’re keeping the process safe, as well as schedules and other information.
- Houston Parks & Recreation Department Curbside Meals – From Monday to Friday at 1pm to 3pm, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department is offering curbside meals for children ages 1 to 18 at one of their dozens of community center sites. The meal program will include a snack and lunch through socially distanced distribution. Children must be present in order to receive a meal. Click here for a list of these locations or call 832-395-7022 for more information.
- YMCA Food Distribution Sites – Partnering with Houston Food Bank, Montgomery County Food Bank and other community partners, the YMCA is offering distributions across the Greater Houston area for critical food and supplies. Click here to view a map of distribution sites and schedules.
Food Distribution Sites & Pantries Outside Houston
These resources are food distribution sites, food pantries and other food services available through organizations outside the city of Houston.
- Clear Lake Baptist Church Food Pantry – A partnership of Clear Lake churches, businesses and volunteers, this food pantry operates Mondays and Thursdays from 8am to 11am on the Clear Lake Baptist Church Campus. Call ahead if you’re in need of food assistance at 281-702-0203 or click here for more information.
- Katy Christian Ministries – After talking with a case manager, those in need will be able to access food pantry, social services and other programs to meet their individual and family needs. Click here for more information on services and click here to see how they have changed during the Coronavirus.
- Montgomery County Community Assistance Center – Serving the needs of residents in Montgomery County, this organization provides a range of crisis assistance with food pantry access, a resale shop and resources for disaster relief, housing and more. Click here for more information or here to begin scheduling an appointment with a case worker.
- Montgomery County Food Bank – Working with over 50 partner agencies in Montgomery County, this food bank helps those in need access a wide variety of nutritional food and necessities. Click here for view schedules and locations of food pantries in Montgomery County.
Food & Essential Needs Programs Requiring Client Appointments
In order to access these food assistance programs, those in need will be required to complete an appointment or screen for eligibility. Different conditions apply so be sure to check each organization’s requirements.
- Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston – In Galveston, Fort Bend and Houston, Catholic Charities is operating drive-thru food pantries, along with other programs that can be accessed through phone and e-mail. The Houston location required appointments to access the food pantry, so please plan ahead. Click here to view food distribution information.
- ECHOS – Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services provides food pantry access and other services (including financial assistance, healthcare screenings and more). Click here to learn more about their food assistance programs or schedule an appointment to access other services.
- Gulf Coast Community Services Association – Those in need of emergency assistance can consult with GCCSA to develop an action plan for achieving their personal needs, including assistance for rental, transportation, electricity and food needs. A partner with Houston Food Bank, the GCCSA Food Pantry is in operation Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Click here for more information on food assistance programs through GCCSA.
- Houston Furniture Bank – If you’re in need of basic and essential furniture, Houston Furniture Bank can help provide you with gently used furniture following a referral through a caseworker in one of their partner agencies. Click here for more information.
- Kids’ Meals – For eligible families, Kids’ Meals will deliver free, healthy meals on weekdays to the homes of children under the age of 6, as well as one to three family grocery bags a week. In addition, families can be connected to a support network of organizations that can help stabilize emergency crisis situations. Click here for more information and to determine eligibility for the program.
- My Brother’s Keeper Outreach Center – This nonprofit organization seeks to provide effectual assistance for individuals and families in crisis through food pantry services, financial assistance programs, and job-related computer resources. Click here for more information.
- Northwest Assistance Ministries – North of the Beltway 8, this organization offers emergency food services through food pantry access, Meals on Wheels, and a Senior Food Program, as well as other services like skills training, housing and utility assistance, and more. Click here for more information.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Network – Serving ten counties in the Galveston-Houston area through a central food distribution center and 23 parish-based food pantries, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s network of food assistance serves those in need on Tuesdays, Thursdays and select Saturdays each month. Click here for more information.
- West Houston Assistance Ministries – Offering drive-thru food assistance on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, this pantry provides a supply of groceries for families to prepare nutritional meals. In addition, WHAM also offers clothing services, employment resources and other services. Click here for more information.