Houston Food Bank

Downtown
The Houston Food Bank is the nation's largest food bank, with several locations around the city. If you need help getting a meal this week, it's there for you. If you would like to help out, volunteers are needed daily at the moment. This is a great option for families, because children as young as age six can volunteer alongside an adult parent or guardian. There are many volunteer projects, including kid-friendly projects, which can vary from inspecting and sorting food, to packing food into family-sized bags, to stocking the Emergency Food Pantry. Volunteer shifts are available daily, but hours vary. Register online to volunteer and make sure to wear closed-toed shoes and sleeved shirts. In addition to volunteering, you can also help by donating food or money or even hosting a food drive.

Kids Meals, Inc.

Inner Loop
330 Garden Oaks, Houston
Kids’ Meals, Inc. works to end childhood hunger by delivering free, healthy meals to the doorsteps of children ages five and under facing hunger due to poverty. Monday through Friday, volunteers prepare thousands of healthy lunches and then deliver the meals to children enrolled in the program. Kids Meals Inc. also provides children with additional resources such as free books. Volunteers are needed most days, as are donations. Volunteers at the Garden Oaks Center need to be 16 years of age or older. Due to COVID, all volunteers must bring their own face masks and gloves and adhere to all safety and social distancing protocols. 

Meals on Wheels

Various locations
Interfaith Ministries' Meals on Wheels program provides meals to homebound seniors in the Houston area—and if needed to their pets as well. Particularly during the current winter storm, Meals on Wheels is need of donations to help fund its services

The Houston Diaper Bank 

Sharpstown
877-433-9863
The Houston Diaper Bank focuses on the key item families with babies and young children need in an emergency. The non-profit generally needs volunteers at the address above to help unload items being donated and load donations that are being sent to shelters. Several other locations around the city will take diaper donations for the Diaper Bank; check the website for more info.

Warming Centers

Various locations
If you or someone you know needs to get warm and can't do it at home, the Coalition for the Homeless is keeping an exhaustive list of locations operating as warming centers during the emergency. Several warming centers are also featured on this list by KHOU. You can also dial 311 for more information on warming centers and where to find one close to you. And if you don't need help getting warm this week, most of these facilities are non-profits that would appreciate your support.

Buffalo Bayou Community Volunteer Day

Inner Loop
Looking for a way to volunteer regularly, with your kids? The Buffalo Bayou Partnership invites Houstonians ages 9 and up to join in a community-wide volunteer day at Buffalo Bayou Park on the third Saturday of the month. Volunteers help with a variety of tasks, including trash pick-up, mulching, silt management, and weed removal. Volunteers should bring their own gloves, personal sanitation items, and personal protection equipment, but all other necessary tools will be provided. To sign up please read the volunteer information packet and complete an online volunteer waiver with the event date.