Houston Food Bank Sees Surge in Demand Amid Government Shutdown; ABC13 Launches Early Share Your Holidays Drive
The Houston Food Bank has seen a significant surge in demand for its services during the recent government shutdown, with some food banks reporting an 1,800% increase in demand since Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were halted. While these benefits are expected to be restored, the Houston Food Bank is already seeing the need continue and has launched its Share Your Holidays drive earlier than usual.
The food bank serves over one million people in southeast Texas, with many struggling to access nutritious food due to financial constraints or other barriers. According to a report by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research's Center for Community and Public Health, 39% of households in Houston and Harris County are food insecure, exceeding the national average of 14%.
The share your holidays drive offers an opportunity for individuals to make a difference in their community. The drive is expected to raise funds to support the food bank's services, which include providing meals for people in need.
Donations can be made through text message by sending "SYH2025" to 71777, scanning the QR code seen on-air during Share Your Holidays stories, or visiting the 2025 SYH fundraising page online. There are also eight drop-off locations throughout the Houston area where donations can be dropped off.
Some of the most-needed items include shelf-stable snacks such as granola bars, crackers, trail mix, nuts, and dried fruits; canned goods like meats, fruits, vegetables, pastas, beans, and soups; and drinks like water, sports drinks, and shelf-stable milk and juice.
The situation is not unique to Houston. According to Feeding Texas, a statewide network of food banks, 5.3 million Texans face food insecurity, with the highest rates found among seniors and children.
The need for food assistance continues to grow, and ABC13 hopes to exceed its record of 1,627,115 meals collected through Share Your Holidays. Donations will be accepted until New Year's Eve.
By supporting the Houston Food Bank through the Share Your Holidays drive, individuals can make a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling with food insecurity.
The Houston Food Bank has seen a significant surge in demand for its services during the recent government shutdown, with some food banks reporting an 1,800% increase in demand since Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were halted. While these benefits are expected to be restored, the Houston Food Bank is already seeing the need continue and has launched its Share Your Holidays drive earlier than usual.
The food bank serves over one million people in southeast Texas, with many struggling to access nutritious food due to financial constraints or other barriers. According to a report by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research's Center for Community and Public Health, 39% of households in Houston and Harris County are food insecure, exceeding the national average of 14%.
The share your holidays drive offers an opportunity for individuals to make a difference in their community. The drive is expected to raise funds to support the food bank's services, which include providing meals for people in need.
Donations can be made through text message by sending "SYH2025" to 71777, scanning the QR code seen on-air during Share Your Holidays stories, or visiting the 2025 SYH fundraising page online. There are also eight drop-off locations throughout the Houston area where donations can be dropped off.
Some of the most-needed items include shelf-stable snacks such as granola bars, crackers, trail mix, nuts, and dried fruits; canned goods like meats, fruits, vegetables, pastas, beans, and soups; and drinks like water, sports drinks, and shelf-stable milk and juice.
The situation is not unique to Houston. According to Feeding Texas, a statewide network of food banks, 5.3 million Texans face food insecurity, with the highest rates found among seniors and children.
The need for food assistance continues to grow, and ABC13 hopes to exceed its record of 1,627,115 meals collected through Share Your Holidays. Donations will be accepted until New Year's Eve.
By supporting the Houston Food Bank through the Share Your Holidays drive, individuals can make a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling with food insecurity.
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just saw that the Houston Food Bank is seeing a crazy 1800% increase in demand since government shutdown 
and they're launching their Share Your Holidays drive early 
what's going on with our country? 
food insecurity is already way too high in houston and now it's getting worse... need to get involved somehow 
can donate through text, QR code, or online 
just heard about the Houston Food Bank seeing a massive surge in demand during the government shutdown! It's heartbreaking to think that so many people are going hungry due to financial constraints... 
Let's all do our part to support this incredible effort and make sure everyone in Houston has access to nutritious food. Every bite matters! 
! it's a great opportunity for us to step up and make a difference in our community 
i mean, 1,800% increase in demand is crazy, but that just means more people need help, right? 
let's use this as a chance to spread some love and kindness 
. I mean, what's next? Early Easter egg hunts? Its like everyone is just trying to rush the holiday season so they can get over with it already. And honestly, who thought 1,800% increase in demand was a good thing? Sounds like chaos to me!
. Anyway, I think it's great that ABC13 is launching Early Share Your Holidays Drive to raise funds and collect more donations - every little bit counts! They should really consider adding some online shopping options too, like a wishlist for people who can't make it to the drop-off locations. And honestly, 1,800% increase in demand since SNAP benefits were halted? That's crazy 
. The fact that 39% of households in Houston are food insecure is just sad... we need to do better as a community!
. I think it's awesome that ABC13 is doing their thing with the Share Your Holidays drive though - it's like, we can all make a difference, right? 
My fam and I are already trying to help out as much as we can. But I guess this is also making me think about all the people in Texas who don't have access to food like that... it's just not right, you feel? 
. Anyway, ABC13 is doing their part as always, and I'm sure people will come together to make a difference... fingers crossed!
It's like, people need food more than ever when they're stressed about their benefits being cut off, you feel? 
And yeah, 1,800% increase in demand is wild... like, what even is that?! 
Every little bit helps, right? 
. It makes you wonder how people can be struggling so much, despite being in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
. We can make a difference, one person at a time 
.
... we gotta support them, you know? 
... let's all chip in and make a difference 
. i mean, 39% of households in houston are food insecure? that's just wrong 
. but like, what can you do right? donate some snacks or canned goods or whatever 
. let's make a difference, one granola bar at a time 
️! i'm actually kinda stoked we're launchin this early, it's like the community is already showin they care 
... i really hope ppl step up & donate some grub or cash to help 'em out 
donating granola bars and canned goods would be so cool if u can do it pls don't forget to send that "SYH2025" text message tho idk about the others lol