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Once again, Houston businesses and restaurants are stepping up to help those in need.<\/p>\n
At midnight on October 1, the federal government shut down, leaving key nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in limbo. More than 3 million Texans<\/a> rely on SNAP each month to help feed their families. With funding set to lapse on November 1, millions of Americans could lose access to their benefits just as the holiday season begins.<\/p>\n In Houston, the potential fallout has already sparked a community-wide response. From the Houston Food Bank expanding its distribution network to restaurants offering free meals for furloughed workers, local businesses and nonprofits are stepping up to fill the gap. In addition to existing food banks and regional organizations, here\u2019s how Houston is rallying to feed and take care of its own during the SNAP pause, plus tips on how you can help:<\/p>\n This article will be updated. Have information to add? Please email us at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a> and [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Houston Food Bank<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Earlier this week, the city\u2019s largest food bank announced it would expand its food distribution initiatives during the shutdown and the cancellation of November SNAP benefits. Large-scale food pantries will be set up across the city, with HFB providing food for 15,000 federal employees and SNAP recipients weekly (more than 20 dates are already scheduled). Distribution packages will contain protein, produce, dairy, and carbohydrates. View the complete list of distribution dates here<\/a>, and use this searchable map <\/a>to find Houston Food Bank pantries, meal programs, and distribution partners. Please contact the pantry before visiting to confirm their hours, services, and requirements.<\/p>\n Lasagna House<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Until the government reopens, the FM 1960 location of this Chicago-born Italian restaurant is participating in \u201cFurlough Friday,\u201d which invites federal employees affected by the shutdown to get a free meal. Show your federal ID to receive free lasagna or a pasta bowl, with salad, bread, and iced tea.\u00a0<\/p>\n The restaurant has already been visited by TSA agents, Social Security employees, and FBI and FDA agents, according to social media. \u201cWe hate to see people go hungry, especially those who work so hard for us!\u201d Lasagna House wrote in a Facebook post.<\/p>\n Miya\u2019s Munchies<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Local caterers Sumiyyah and Khaliq Harvey are offering free large chicken pot pies for federal employees and SNAP beneficiaries. Just order a pie online<\/a> and show your federal ID or SNAP card at pickup, located at 11150 Beltline Road. Want to show your support? Miya\u2019s Munchies is also hosting a \u201csponsor a pot pie\u201d program<\/a>, where donations of $10 and more will go directly to feeding families in Greater Houston.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nina Quincy, Rex Hospitality<\/strong><\/p>\n In a trend that\u2019s picking up on social media, Nina Quincy, the director of operations of Rex Hospitality (Maven Coffee & Cocktails, Solaris), has put out a\u00a0call for a \u201cgrocery buddy\u201d<\/a> in hopes of sponsoring a family that will not have SNAP benefits for the month of November. She’s helped launch a new, still-developing initiative called Find a Grocery Buddy<\/a>, which will aim to connect donors and people in need so that groceries can be sent “safely, directly, and with dignity.” For updates, follow accounts on both TikTok<\/a> and Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n Quincy, who previously worked for Underbelly Hospitality, is no stranger to humanitarian efforts.\u00a0 In 2022, she traveled to Poland to help World Central Kitchen<\/a> prepare and serve food for tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens seeking safety and assistance as Russia attacked its borders.<\/p>\n Petit Beignets and Tapioca<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Co-owner Nan Ngho plans to launch SNAP Kitchen on Saturday, November 1, outside of this beignet, boba, and banh mi shop. Those who can provide proof that they are a SNAP recipient will receive a free sandwich, juice, and fruit for themselves and their family members, according to a KHOU report<\/a>. Ngo is also accepting donations of food to cook meals for those in need. Distribution will start at 11 am just outside Petit Beignets & Tapioca (22490 State Highway, Ste. A, 77070).<\/p>\n Trash Panda Drinking Club<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This local watering hole plans to donate all proceeds from its Threk cocktail sales on Halloween to fund a food drive for people who have lost SNAP benefits due to the shutdown.<\/p>\n Other charities and organizations distributing or donating food<\/strong><\/p>\n To find a food pantry near you, click the Find Food button on WhyHunger<\/a>, enter your zipcode, and search for areas near you. Be sure to cross-reference the location\u2019s website or phone number to ensure they are still in operation and service dates are up to date.<\/p>\n All Saints St. Vincent de Paul<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Heights<\/p>\n According to its website, this church’s food pantry operates from 9 to 10:30am Monday through Thursday, and on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7:30pm. Donations of non-perishable food items, including canned goods, bread, eggs, cereal, rice, beans, and pasta, as well as toiletries, can be dropped off at the pantry during hours of operation.<\/p>\n 1035 Cortlandt, 713-741-8234<\/p>\n Beacon of Hope Isle Market<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Galveston<\/p>\n Appointments are preferred at this local food pantry, but locals are also welcome on weekdays from 8:30am to 4pm. Drive-through food distribution starts at 9am (until all food is distributed) every Wednesday of the month, based on a schedule issued by the Galveston County Food Bank.<\/p>\n 4700 Broadway, Avenue J, Suite B-101, Galveston<\/p>\n Casa Juan Diego Pantry<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n rice military<\/p>\n This local catholic organization distributes food from 7 to 11am on Tuesdays, 9-11am on Thursdays, and Saturdays. It accepts food donations from 9am to 3pm Monday through Saturday.<\/p>\n 4818 Rose Street, 713-869-7376<\/p>\n Christian Community Services Center<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n upper kirby<\/p>\n This location offers assistance in the form of five-day food packages, hygiene kits, diapers, and gently used clothing, but, according to its website, those seeking assistance must first undergo an interview. It\u2019s suggested to provide proof of identification and a current address, but it is not required.<\/p>\n 3434 Branard St, (713) 961-3993<\/p>\n Guadalupe Center Market<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n east end<\/p>\n Drive-through food distribution is available on select days (9-11am), including November 4 and 15, and December 2, 13, and 23. Walk-ins are available to anyone from November 3 through December 16, 9 to 11:30am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.<\/p>\n Seniors aged 62 and above can visit on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm. Those picking up bags for people experiencing homelessness can walk in on Fridays from 11 am to noon.<\/p>\n 326 S Jensen Dr, 713-251-6919\u00a0<\/p>\n Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Heights<\/p>\n Food distributions at this local pantry occur 4-6pm on Thursdays and 10-noon on Saturdays. Items offered include pantry staples, fresh produce, eggs, bread, and frozen meat, as well as diapers, baby formula, and toddler food for those with young children. To receive food, individuals must present a photo ID and a bill or document that verifies a Houston address.\u00a0<\/p>\n 3523 Beauchamp st<\/p>\n The Impact Resource Center<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Washington Ave\/Heights area<\/p>\n This church, which provides food for around 2,500 families each month, distributes food and groceries from 8:30 to 10:30am on Tuesdays and from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Wednesdays. Its clothing room is also open three days a week.<\/p>\n For those seeking to donate, the resource center requests rice and beans, furniture and household items, and financial contributions. For more information, email\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a> or visit the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1712 Depelchin St<\/p>\n Mamie George Community Center<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n richmond<\/p>\n This Richmond food pantry, which reopens on November 2, invites those in need to shop for their own groceries by appointment. There are also drive-through food distributions on Tuesdays (4:30-6:30pm), Thursdays (8:30-11:30am), and on select Saturdays (9:30am-noon).<\/p>\n 1111 Collins Road<\/p>\n The Mahagoney Project Community Center<\/a><\/p>\n westwood<\/p>\n Among its many services for trans and queer community<\/a>, the Mahagoney Project also offers a food pantry, food services, bus vouchers, and a clothing closet.<\/p>\n 9896 Bissonnet St, Suite 550, (713) 637-4197<\/p>\n Montrose Center<\/a><\/p>\n Montrose<\/p>\n Through its H-E-B Emergency Pantry, the Montrose Center provides boxes of food, clothing and hygeine supplies to its clients receiving case management or advocacy services at the center. Those who are not clients can receive assistance through an intake process. For a full list of hygeine products and non-perishable and ready-to-eat food items you can donate, visit its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n 401 Branard St<\/p>\n Southside Church of Christ<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Southwest Houston<\/p>\n Catering to the Hiram Clarke and South Post Oak communities, this church food pantry offers groceries on the second Tuesday from 3 to 5pm and on the fourth Saturday of the month from 9 to 11am.<\/p>\n 13835 Buxley St<\/p>\n Target Hunger<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Multiple locations<\/p>\n Provides drive-through food fairs<\/a> that distribute food on a first-come, first-served basis at locations around the city, as well as monthly food assistance. Visit its website for more details.<\/p>\n Trinity East United Methodist Church<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Third Ward<\/p>\n Attend one of its monthly food pantry curbside distributions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month (2-5pm) or on every third Saturday from 9am-noon. Appointments can be requested by texting (346-809-7431 or 713-659-7765) or emailing the church at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2418 McGowen st<\/p>\n