Houston Food Pantries: How To Find Food Assistance Programs Near You

The fastest way to find food near you is to contact the Houston Food Bank at 832-369-9390 or use a local food pantry based on your zip code.

If you need free food in Houston, you have several options depending on your situation. You can get groceries from local food pantries, hot meals from shelters and day centers, or ongoing help through programs like SNAP, WIC, and senior meal services.

I’m Nick Bryant, creator of Houston Case Managers Academy, and I’ve helped over 7,000+ residents connect to community resources like emergency food assistance. 

Houston has hundreds of food assistance programs, but the challenge is knowing where to go first and what type of help you actually need. Some locations provide same-day food with no appointment, while others require you to live in a specific zip code or schedule ahead.

How To Get Free Food NOW in Houston (Same-Day Help)

The best places to find free food in Houston today are non-profits like the Beacon, Martha’s Kitchen, Emergency Aid Coalition, and community centers that offer senior citizens meals. In this section, I will list some of these options to help you find help if you need emergency food assistance in Houston. 

The Beacon Day Center

The Beacon is a day center in downtown Houston that provides free hot meals along with basic services such as showers and laundry. It is one of the most reliable places in the city for getting food the same day without an appointment. They are open to individuals experiencing homelessness or anyone in immediate need.

Free meals (laundry and showers) are served Tuesday through Saturday.  Breakfast is served from 7 am to 9:30 am, and lunch is served from 11 am to 12 pm. 

The Beacon is located in downtown Houston. 1212 Prairie St, Houston, TX 77002
713-220-9737
https://www.beaconhomeless.org

Martha’s Kitchen

Martha’s Kitchen is a smaller, community-based meal program that offers free hot meals in a more relaxed setting compared to larger shelters. This food pantry is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, and it’s open to the public, especially individuals in need.  

They are located just east of downtown Houston at the corner of Jensen and Navigation. 

322 S. Jensen, Houston, TX 77003
713.224.2522

https://stmartha.com/marthas-kitchen

Emergency Aid Coalition

Emergency Aid Coalition provides groceries through a food pantry and is one of the more consistent options in central Houston. 

Free groceries in Houston are offered Monday through Friday, but you must call them at 71.3343.3061 to make an appointment. 

5401 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77004
713-528-3663
https://www.eachouston.org

info@eachoustonrog 

Congregate Meals Sites (for seniors 60+)

The Houston Health Department operates congregate meal sites across the city that provide free meals to seniors 60 and older. These sites offer one of the most consistent weekday meal options in Houston.

You can find a listing of Congregate Meal sites in the link below. 

832-393-4301
https://www.houstonhealth.org/services/aging/nutrition-programs

Houston Food Bank Kids Cafe

Kids Cafe (Houston Food Bank program) provides free meals and snacks to children through after-school and summer programs at locations across Houston. Children and teens under age 18 qualify for this free Houston food program. 

832-369-9390
General Information: https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/kids-cafe/

Kids Cafe Locations: https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/kids-cafe/kids_cafe_map/

Target Hunger

Target Hunger offers large-scale food distributions and weekly food fairs where families can receive groceries. This is one of the most consistent options for ongoing food support in Northeast Houston.

Residents in select Houston zip codes, primarily in Northeast Houston, should qualify for this program. 

I have included the link to all weekly free food distributions in Houston below: 

3300 Lyons Ave, Houston, TX 77020
832-767-1677
Weekly Food Distribution Schedule: https://www.targethunger.org/food-fair-schedule/

Houston Food Bank

Houston Food Bank has a search tool that you can use to find food pantries open on any day of the week. 

https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/find-help/find-food/

Those are your best places to go if you are hungry in Houston and need free food today.  Throughout the rest of this article, I’ll show you how to find all of the food banks in Houston, talk about food options for the homeless, and free daily meals for senior citizens. 

Let’s first start by talking about the Houston Food Bank. If you have a food insecurity or your SNAP benefits were denied this is one agency you must be familiar with. 

Houston Food Bank

The Houston Food Bank is the largest food assistance organization in Houston and the main hub that connects you to hundreds of food pantries, meal programs, and benefits across the city.

Here are the most important food services they offer: 

• Food Pantry Map
• Help applying for SNAP benefits
• Kids Cafe – after-school food program for kids 
• Senior Box – a monthly box of food for seniors 

Find Food Pantries Near You (Interactive Map)

The Houston Food Bank provides an interactive map that shows food pantries, mobile distributions, and meal sites based on your location.

Use this tool to find food near you right now:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/find-help/find-food/

You can search by zip code, see nearby locations, and get directions to the closest pantry.

Help Applying for SNAP, Medicaid, and More

The Houston Food Bank doesn’t just give out food — they also help you apply for government benefits that provide ongoing support.

They can help you apply for:

• SNAP (food stamps)
• Medicaid
• TANF (cash assistance)
• Other support programs

Get help applying here:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/communityassistanceprogram/

If you need long-term help with groceries, this is one of the most important services they offer.

Kids Cafe (Free Meals for Children Under 18)

If you have children, the Houston Food Bank runs a program called Kids Cafe, which provides free meals and snacks for kids up to age 18.

Meals are served:

• After school
• During the summer
• At community partner sites across Houston

Learn more about Kids Cafe:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/kids-cafe/

Find Kids Cafe locations near you:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/kids-cafe/kids_cafe_map/

This is a reliable option if your child needs consistent meals during the week.

Senior Box Program (Monthly Food for Seniors)

The Houston Food Bank also offers a Senior Box Program that provides monthly groceries to eligible seniors.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/senior-box-program/

This program is designed to help older adults stretch their food budget with shelf-stable items.

Community Resource Center (Grocery Shopping Experience)

The Community Resource Center (CRC) is a unique program that works more like a free grocery store than a traditional food pantry.

Learn more here:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/communityresourcecenter/

Here’s how it works:

• You must be enrolled in a Food for Change program (like Food Scholarship or Food Rx)
• If eligible, you can shop for groceries up to twice per month
• You schedule an appointment and choose your own food
• They also connect you to:
  • job training
  • healthcare programs
  • education and support services

This program is best if you’re looking for long-term stability, not just emergency food.

All Houston Food Bank Programs

The Houston Food Bank offers many additional programs beyond what’s listed here.

See all available programs:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/

Again, Houston Food Bank is the authority on food programs in Houston, so definitely call them or check out their websites for programs to help your family.

• 832-369-9390
• https://www.houstonfoodbank.org

 

Where To Find Food Pantries In Houston

You can find food pantries all across Houston, but the fastest way to locate one near you is by using the interactive map below or calling Houston Food Bank at 832.369.9390.  This map shows food pantries, food banks, and nonprofit distribution sites throughout Houston so you can quickly find help in your area.

To get the best results, start by zooming in on your neighborhood. You’ll be able to see nearby locations, contact information, and where to go for food assistance.

Houston Food Pantries By Neighborhood

Before you visit any of these locations, be sure to call the food pantry number listed to ensure hours of operation and zip codes served are correct. Many of these food pantries require you to register so again please call before you visit. 

Alief Food Pantries 

• House of Amos Inc – 8030 Boone Rd, Houston, TX 77072 – 281-495-9061 – House of Amos website

Hours  of operation: Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm*
Saturday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm*

*Begin serving our last food client at 11:45 am

County or Zip Codes Served: Harris

Alvin Food Pantries 

• Alvin Community Food Pantry – 1212 S Durant St, Alvin, TX 77511 –
  281-824-8871 –

Hours of operation: County or Zip Codes Served: Brazoria

Astrodome Food Pantries 

• Gulf Coast Community Services Association, Inc. – 9320 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77054 – 713-393-4700 – Gulf Coast Community Food Pantry

Hours of operation:  Monday through  Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to  5:00 PM. Walk-ins welcome. 3 to 5-day supply offered. Assistance is offered one time per year.

County or Zip Codes Served: Harris County.

Braeswood Food Pantries 

• A Touch of God’s Love Outreach – 10103 Fondren Rd #420, Houston, TX 77096 – 346.701.8094 –  A Touch of Gods Love website
  Hours of operation: Mon./Tue and Thurs. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (No Appointment Needed) – Also open Wed 3 pm to 6 pm.

 

• Westbury Church of Christ – 10424 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77096 – 713-729-7880 – Westbury Church Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Saturdays  10 am to 12 pm. You can come once per month.

County or Zip Codes Served: Harris

• Braes Interfaith Ministries – 4300 W Bellfort Blvd, Houston, TX 77035 – 713-723-2671 – Braes Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 2 pm. You are encouraged to arrive prior to 1 pm.

County or Zip Codes Served: Selected SW Houston zip codes served

• St. Bernadette Catholic Church – 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062 – 281-486-0337 – St Bernadette Catholic Church Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Tues, Wed, Thurs,  930 to 1130 am

County or Zip Codes Served: Clear Lake: 77058, 77059, 77062, 77598,

• Bay Area Food Pantry – 1300-A Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77058 – 281-282-6069 – Based in the United Way Bay Area Service Center, the food pantry provides nutritious food to families who struggle to have enough food for a healthy life.

 

Conroe Food Pantries 

• Sacred Heart Catholic Church – 109 N Frazier St, Conroe, TX 77301 – 936-756-8186 – Sacred Heart Conroe Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Mon – Thurs 10 AM – 3 PM

County or Zip Codes Served: Montgomery County + Conroe

• Montgomery County Food Bank – 1 Food For Life Way, Conroe, TX 77385 – 936-271-8800 – Montgomery County Food Bank

Hours of operation: Mon – Thurs 8 am to 5 pm. Friday 8 am to 4 pm. Call to find a Montgomery County Food Pantry.

County or Zip Codes Served: Montgomery County

• First Christian Church Conroe – 3500 N Loop 336 W, Conroe, TX 77304 – 936.756.3554 – First Christian Church Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Open every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m

County or Zip Codes Served:77301, 77302, 77303, 77304, and 77306

• Tamina Community Center – 18955 Main St, Conroe, TX 77385 – 281-465-4646 – Tamina Community Center Food Pantry

Hours of operation: 4th Wednesday of the month, 9 am to 12 noon

County or Zip Codes Served: Montgomery

Cypress Houston Food Pantries 

• Cypress Assistance Ministries  – 11202 Huffmeister Rd #5, Houston, TX 77065 – 281-955-7684 – Cypress Assistance Ministries Food Pantry

County or Zip Codes Served: 77065, 77095, 77429, 77433, 77084,

They also offer a Senior and Homebound Program for monthly groceries and Senior Box Program. 

Deer Park Food Pantries 

• St Hyacinth Catholic Church – 2921 Center St, Deer Park, TX 77536 – 281-479-4298 ext 25 – St Hyacinth Catholic Church

Hours of operation: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 pm to assist clients.

County or Zip Codes Served: W: 77043, 77055 (Food & Clothing only) 77077, 77079 (Food, Clothing, Utilities )

Dickinson Food Pantries 

• M.I. Lewis Social Services -215 FM 517 E, Dickinson, TX 77539 –
  (281) 534-2043 – M.I. Lewis Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Tuesday through Friday 830 am to 1 pm. Food is given 6 times per year to those who qualify.

County or Zip Codes Served: Galveston County + Dickinson

Downtown Houston Food Pantries 

• St. Joseph Catholic Church – 1505 Kane St, Houston, TX 77007 – 713-222-8903 –
  St Joseph – St Stephen Catholic Church Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Monday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. , Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m

County or Zip Codes Served: 77007, 77008, 77009,    Hours:   77007, 77008, 77009,

East End Houston Food Pantries 

• Joy Fellowship Center – 1815 Gano St., Houston, TX 77009 – 713-227-0304 – Joy Mission Center Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Call during business hours 8 am to 5 pm.

County or Zip Codes Served: 77003, 77011, 77012, 77023, 77029, 77087

• Immaculate Conception – 7250 Harrisburg Blvd, Houston, TX 77011 – 713-921-1261 – Immaculate Conception Houston Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Every Thursday 9:30 am – 1130 am

County or Zip Codes Served:   77011, 77012

• Guadalupe Center –  Catholic Charities  – 326 South Jensen Drive, Houston, Texas 77006 –713-227-9981 –  Lewis and Joan Lowenstein Foundation Pan De Vida Food Pantry

Hours of operation:  Two Saturdays a month

County or Zip Code Served: Harris County + Houston area

Fondren Houston Food Pantries 

• Riceville Mt. Olive Baptist Church – 11539 S Gessner Rd, Houston, TX 77071 – 713-778-0992 – Riceville Mt Olive Baptist Church

Hours of operation: 1st Wed of Month, 6 p.m. Call for appointments.

• Bethel’s Heavenly Hands – 12660 Sandpiper Dr, Houston, TX 77035 – 713-729-6477 – Bethel’s Heavenly Hands Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Mon, Tues, Fri  –  County or Zip Codes Served: Harris 

Galveston Food Pantries 

• Galveston Food Bank – Client Choices Food Mart – 903 53rd Street, Galveston, TX 77550 – 409.945.4232 – Galveston County Food Bank  or Galveston County Food Bank Facebook Page

Hours of operation: Call the Food Bank for a listing of Galveston County food banks.

County or Zip Codes Served: Galveston County

Gulfgate Houston Food Pantries 

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Resale Shop 1 – 6654 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77087 – 713-862-2605 or 713-741-8234  – www.svdphouston.org 

Hours of operation: Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Closed on Sunday and Monday

Heights Houston Food Pantries 

• Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry – 3523 Beauchamp St, Houston, TX 77009 – 713.861.6155 – Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry Thursdays, 4 PM to 6 PM or Sell Out, Saturdays, 10 AM to 12 PM or Sell Out

• All Saints Catholic Church – 215 E 10th St, Houston, TX 77008 (Church)  1035 Cortlandt St. Houston, TX 77008 (Church Food Pantry) – 713-864-2653 or 713-741-8234 – All Saints Heights Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 9-10:30 am, plus Wednesday, 6-7:30 pm.

County of Counties Served:  Heights Area – 77007 and 77008

• Annette Strawder Here To Help Pantry – 835 W 23rd St, Houston, TX 77008 – 713-862-5117 –

Hours: Tuesday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

County or Counties Served: Harris

Hiram Clarke Food Pantries 

• The Windsor Village Church Family – 6011 W Orem Dr, Houston, TX 77085 – 713-723-8187 – www.kingdombuilders.com

Hours of operation: Appointment only, Monday 8 am to 11 am Food: Tuesday -Wednesday  9 am to 11 am. Thursday 1030 am to 1230 pm

County or Zip Codes Served: Harris County and Ft Bend County

Hobby Airport Food Pantries 

• St. Christopher Catholic School – 8134 Park Pl Blvd, Houston, TX 77017 – 713-649-0009 – St Christopher Church

Hours of operation: Sat: 930 to 11 am

County or Zip Codes Served: SE: 77012, 77017, 77061,

Humble Food Pantries 

• Humble Area Ministries – 1204 1st St E, Humble, TX 77338 – 281-446-0993 – Humble Area Ministries Food Pantry

County or Zip Codes Served: NE Harris County and East Montgomery County:  77336, 77345, 77347, 77372, 77338, 77346, 77357, 77396, 77339, 77347, 77365, 77532, 77044, 77302, 77306

• St Mary’s Magdalene Catholic Church – 527 S Houston Ave, Humble, TX 77338 –
  281-446-8211 – St Marys

Hours of operation: M, W, F only. 930 to 1145 am – 1st 12 people.

County or Zip Codes Served: 77044, 77338, 77346, 77347, 77396

Huntsville Food Pantries 

• Good Shepherd Mission Food Pantry – 1005 Martin Luther King Dr, Huntsville, TX 77320 – 936.291.8156 –  Good Shepherd Mission Food Bank Huntsville

Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Hot meals served Monday – Saturday. Sunday lunch at 1 pm and dinner at 6 pm. 

County or Zip Codes Served: Walker

Katy Food Pantries 

• Katy Christian Ministries – 5510 1st St, Katy, TX 77493 –281-391-3730 –Katy Christian Ministries Food Pantry

• St. Cecilia Catholic Church – 11720 Joan of Arc Dr, Houston, TX 77024 – 713-465-3414 – St Cecilia Food Catholic Church

Hours of operation:  M – Th: 9 am through 12 pm

County or Zip Codes Served: NW: 77024, 77043, 77055, parts of 77080

• Catholic Charities – 2900 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77006 –
  713-526-4611 – Catholic Charities

Hours of operation: M – F 730 a – 530 p. Call for a listing of food pantries.

County or Zip Codes Served: 77003, 77004, 77011, 77012, 77013, 77020, 77021, 77023, 77029, 77030, 77054, 77547

• City Wide Club – 4101 San Jacinto St # 206, Houston, TX 77004 – 713-523-4904 – citywideclub.com

Hours of operation: Tues – Th 10 a-1 p

County or Zip Codes Served: Harris County and surrounding areas – Rent Assistance in Houston 

Tomball Food Pantries

• St Anne Catholic Church – 1111 S Cherry St, Tomball, TX 77375 – 281-351-8106 or 281.255.2894  – St. Vincent de Paul Tomball Food Pantry

• Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries – 300 W Main St, Tomball, TX 77375 – 281-255-6967 – Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Tuesday from 10am – 3pm and Thursday from 10am – 2pm. The application must be completed in person.  Can receive food every 3 weeks.

County or Zip Codes Served: Tomball zip codes 77375, 77377 or you live within Tomball school district.

• First Baptist Lao Church – 14210 Hirschfield Rd Tomball, TX, United States, Texas 77377 – 281-229-9166 – First Baptist Lao Church 

Hours of operation: M – Th 730 a – 11 a Walk-Ins only

County or Zip Codes Served: NW: Harris County

Third Ward Food Pantries 

• City Wide Club – 3701 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004 – 713-752-2582 – citywideclub.com

Hours of operation: Tues – Th 10 a-1 p

County or Zip Codes Served: Harris County and surrounding areas

• Manna House Third Ward Food 

Provides food assistance and washing detergent, baby diapers, toilet tissue and more.

3118 Blodgett St, Houston, TX 77004 – 713.529.3381 – Manna House

Hours of operation: Thursday and Friday 9 am to 1 pm

County or Zip Codes Served: 77004 zip code.

Trinity Gardens Houston Food Pantries

• Living Water International Apostolic Ministry  – 7802 Jensen Dr, Houston, TX 77093 – 713.384.3816 or (281) 936-8175 –  

Hours of operation: Food Pantry every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm.

County or Zip Codes Served: Harris County

Texas City Food Pantries 

• Galveston Food Bank – Client Choice Food Mart  – 624 4th Avenue North, Texas City, TX 77590 –  409.945.4232 Galveston County Food Bank

Hours of operation: Call for listings of Galveston County Food Pantries.

County or Zip Codes Served: Galveston County

Upper Kirby Food Pantries 

• Christian Community Services – 3230 Mercer St, Houston, TX 77027 – 713-961-3993 –
  Christian Community Services Food Pantry

Hours of operation: M – F 10a – 2 pm Sat 9 a  – 12 p (food and clothing only

County or Zip Codes Served: W-SW: 77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77010, 77011, 77012, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77023, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77030, 77046, 77056, 77057, 77081, 77096, 77098, 77401

Waller Food Pantries 

• Warm Treasures – 40070 US-290 BUS, Waller, TX 77484 – 936-372-5173 – Waller Assistance WARM Food Pantry

Hours of operation: Monday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Tuesday
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Wednesday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

County or Zip Codes Served: Waller County Area

Westchase Food Pantries 

• West Houston Assistance Ministries – 10501 Meadowglen Ln, Houston, TX 77042 – 713-780-2727 – West Area Ministries Food Pantry

Food pantry every Tuesday and Thursday but you must call and register. 

County or Zip Codes Served: 77042, 77057, 77063, 77072, 77077, 77082, or 77083

 

Free Senior Meal Sites in Houston (Congregate Dining Locations)

If you are age 60 or older, you can get free hot meals in Houston every weekday by visiting a local senior center or community dining site. These are called congregate meal sites, and they are one of the most reliable ways for seniors to get food consistently.

The Houston Health Department operates these programs across Houston and Harris County, serving meals at community centers throughout the city.

• 832-393-4301
• https://www.houstonhealth.org/services/aging/nutrition-programs

Meal Times (Important)

These are stable, city-supported locations where seniors can eat on-site:

Central / Downtown Houston

• Legacy Center for Senior Life – 4640 Main St
• Third Ward Multi-Service Center – 3611 Ennis St
• Lyerly Senior Center – 75 Lyerly St

North Houston / Acres Homes / Greenspoint

• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center – 6719 W. Montgomery Rd
• Hardy Senior Center – 11901 W Hardy Rd
• Kashmere Senior Center – 4802 Lockwood Dr
• Northwest Assistance Ministries Senior Center – 15555 Kuykendahl Rd

East Houston / Navigation / Denver Harbor

• Denver Harbor Senior Center – 6402 Market St
• Magnolia Multi-Service Center – 7031 Capitol St
• Ripley House – 4414 Navigation Blvd

Southwest Houston / Alief / Sharpstown

• Alief Neighborhood Center – 11903 Bellaire Blvd
• Southwest Multi-Service Center – 6400 High Star Dr
• Bellerive Senior Center – 7225 Bellerive Dr

South Houston / Sunnyside / Hiram Clarke

• Sunnyside Multi-Service Center – 4410 Reed Rd
• Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center – 3810 W Fuqua St
• South Houston Community Center – 1007 State St

West Houston / Spring Branch

• Lakeview Senior Center – 8950 Hammerly Blvd
• Longhorn Senior Center – 1414 Longhorn Dr
• West Office Senior Center – 10303 West Office Dr

Southeast Houston / Pasadena Area

• Telephone Road Senior Center – 6000 Telephone Rd
• Salvation Army Senior Center – 2732 Cherry Brook Ln

If You Can’t Get to a Houston Congregate Meals

If you are homebound, you may qualify for Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals) instead of going to a site. This program delivers food directly to your home.

Houston Food Pantries Open on Weekends

Looking for a food pantry open on Saturday in Houston? While most Houston food pantries are closed on weekends, a select number offer Saturday food distribution, usually in the morning and on a first-come, first-served basis.

• House of Amos Inc – 8030 Boone Rd, Houston, TX 77072 – 281-495-9061
  Saturday morning food distribution available.
• Westbury Church of Christ – 10424 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77096 – 713-729-7880
  Saturday food pantry access (limited frequency).
• East Spring Branch Food Pantry – 7901 Westview Dr, Houston, TX 77055 – 713-464-0852
  Saturday distribution typically offered in the morning.
• St. Christopher Catholic Church – 8134 Park Pl Blvd, Houston, TX 77017 – 713-649-0009
  Saturday food distribution with limited hours.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Gulf Freeway) – 6654 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77087 – 713-862-2605
  Saturday hours available for assistance.
• St. Anne Catholic Church (Tomball) – 1111 S Cherry St, Tomball, TX 77375 – 281-351-8106
  Saturday morning food pantry distribution.
• Gateway Baptist Church – 2930 Rayford Rd, Spring, TX 77386 – 281-363-4500
  Saturday food distribution available.
• Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries – 300 W Main St, Tomball, TX 77375 – 281-255-6967
  Food distribution available on select Saturdays.
• Pasadena Community Ministries – 2310 S Houston Rd, Pasadena, TX 77502 – 713-477-4336
  First Saturday of the month distribution.
• Christian Community Services – 3230 Mercer St, Houston, TX 77027 – 713-961-3993
  Saturday food pantry hours available.

If you can’t find a food pantry open on Saturday near you, the best backup option is to use the Houston Food Bank search tool. Their online locator allows you to search by zip code and find food pantries, mobile food distributions, and meal programs that are open on specific days, including weekends.

Below is a video I created that shows you how to find food banks in Houston that are open on weekends. 

 

Free Food for Kids and Families in Houston

If you have children and need help with food in Houston, there are several programs specifically designed to provide free meals, groceries, and nutrition support for kids and families. These programs are some of the most reliable ways to get consistent food assistance, especially if you qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC.

Kids’ Meals

Kids’ Meals is one of the only programs in Houston that delivers free meals directly to your home for young children.

Kids’ Meals provides free, healthy meals Monday through Friday to children age 5 and under who live in eligible Houston zip codes. In addition to daily meals, families may also receive grocery bags, holiday food, and connections to other support services like job assistance, healthcare, and early childhood education.

Who qualifies:

• Must have at least one child age 5 or younger
• Must live in one of the service zip codes
• Must meet income guidelines (typically receiving SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or TANF)

Contact Info:
8790 Hammerly Blvd, Houston, TX 77080
713-695-5437
https://kidsmealsinc.org

Houston Food Bank Kids Cafe

Kids Cafe is a Houston Food Bank program that provides free meals and snacks for children and teens across the city.

Meals are served at community centers, schools, and after-school programs throughout Houston. This is a great option if your child needs daily meals during the school year or summer months.

Who qualifies:
Children and teens under age 18

Learn more:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/kids-cafe/

Find locations near you:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/kids-cafe/kids_cafe_map/

Contact:
832-369-9390

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Houston ISD Sunrise Centers (Food + Family Support)

Houston ISD Sunrise Centers are one-stop resource hubs located across the city that help students and families access basic needs, including food, clothing, and school support.

Many Sunrise Centers have on-site food pantries or can connect families to food assistance quickly, especially if your child attends a Houston ISD school.

Sunrise Center Locations

• BakerRipley – 281-907-2596
• Cornerstone (Star of Hope/Buckner) – 713-556-2669
• HISD Brock Center – 713-556-7237
• Marian Park Community Center – 281-223-2017
• Mission Milby – 281-965-2253
• Morefield Boys & Girls Club – 281-683-5569
• YMCA West Orem – 713-556-2659
• Youth Development Center (YDC) – 713-556-2649

Main HISD Contact:
4400 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77092
713-556-6000

You can also ask your child’s school counselor or staff to connect you to a Sunrise Center.

Apply for SNAP and WIC in Houston (Ongoing Food Help)

If you need consistent help buying food, applying for SNAP or WIC can provide monthly support.

• SNAP (Food Stamps): Helps families buy groceries each month using an EBT card
• WIC: Provides free food, formula, and nutrition support for pregnant women, infants, and young children

The Houston Food Bank can help you apply for both programs.

Apply for help here:
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/communityassistanceprogram/

Free Food for Homeless in Houston

If you are homeless in Houston, many traditional food pantries may not work because they require appointments, proof of address, or the ability to store and cook food.

The programs below are better options because they provide hot meals, low-barrier access, or services specifically designed for individuals without housing.

The Beacon Day Center

The Beacon is one of the most reliable places in Houston for free meals and basic services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

What they offer:
Free breakfast and lunch, plus showers and laundry services.

Meal Times:
Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Lunch: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
(Tuesday through Saturday)

Location:
Downtown Houston

Contact Info:
1212 Prairie St, Houston, TX 77002
713-220-9737
https://www.beaconhomeless.org

Martha’s Kitchen

Martha’s Kitchen offers free hot meals in a smaller, community-focused setting that may feel more comfortable than larger shelters.

What they offer:
Free hot lunch meals.

Meal Times:
Monday through Friday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Location:
East Downtown / Jensen Area

Contact Info:
322 S Jensen Dr, Houston, TX 77003
713-224-2522
https://stmartha.com/marthas-kitchen

Emergency Aid Coalition

Emergency Aid Coalition provides groceries through a food pantry and is a strong option for individuals or families who have housing.

What they offer:
Food pantry (groceries).

Hours:
Monday through Friday: Morning distribution (arrive early, typically before 9:00 AM)

Important:
This location generally does not serve individuals who are homeless, but is included here as a nearby option if you transition into housing.

Location:
Central Houston / Museum District

Contact Info:
5401 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77004
713-528-3663
https://www.eachouston.org

Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen (Houston)

Loaves & Fishes was previously a well-known meal program in downtown Houston that served free food to individuals in need, especially those experiencing homelessness.

Current Status:
This location is currently closed but will open again.

What to know:

Many people still search for Loaves & Fishes when looking for free meals in Houston. If you were referred here, you can instead visit nearby active meal programs such as The Beacon, Star of Hope, or Houston Rescue Mission, which continue to provide daily food services.

https://mhihouston.org/what-we-do/meals

Alternatives To These Houston Food Pantries

If you had trouble finding a Houston food pantry in your area, here are a few alternative ways to find food. 

Resource	Description
Houston Meals on Wheels	Meals on Wheels is a food delivery program for seniors 60 and older. This guide will give you a listing of each Meals on Wheels contractor.  Find the contractor who delivers to your area and contact them to sign up.
Congregate Meals in Houston	Congregate Meals is another food program for seniors 60 and older. The difference is in this program seniors must travel to a community center in their area for a meal. This guide provides you with the address and phone number of the Congregate Meal site that serves your zip code.
WIC in Houston	WIC is a program that provides free food to women, infants and children, hence the name W.I.C. If you are a new mother WIC can provide you with formula milk for your baby and vouchers to purchase healthy foods. This guide will help you to find a WIC site near your home.
SNAP in Houston	SNAP  is the new-ish name for food stamps. This program provides you with a monthly voucher to buy food from your grocery store. Unlike WIC, you can buy any food you like, whether it is considered “healthy” or not. The only exception is you cannot purchase alcohol with SNAP benefits.
Houston Food Bank	The last alternative is the Houston Food Bank. The Houston Food Bank is where many of these food pantry listings were found. If you cannot find food assistance near you via the listings above you should definitely contact them, because they have the most up-to-date food resources in Houston.  In addition to their listing of food pantries, they can also help you to apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps).

 

Conclusion 

There are many Houston food pantries available to you if you need help getting food in Houston. The problem is sometimes locating where these pantries are. To find the food banks near you, there are a number of options. 

1. You can use the table in this article to find food pantries in your zip code. 
2. You can also contact Houston Food Bank at 832.369.939. They are the best source of information when it comes to food pantries and food assistance in Houston.  

If you have more questions about where to find food pantries in Houston simply leave a comment below. 

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