The food bank is calling on registered volunteers, needed for today at 1 p.m. (You can register on the Houston Food Bank's website at houstonfoodbank.org/volunteer) and on an ongoing basis.
Children as young as age six are welcome, but volunteers ages 16 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteer projects will vary and may include packing disaster boxes, inspecting and sorting food, repacking dry food into family-sized bags and the like. Closed-toe shoes and sleeved shirts are required.
Volunteer shifts are as follows (including on Labor Day):
Morning shift, Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon
Afternoon shift, Monday to Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Evening shift, Monday to Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.
Donations are also being accepted and curbside drop-off is open now through Saturday, September 9. The drop-off is at the Houston Food Bank's main entrance, 535 Portwall. Donations are accepted Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Items needed:
- Canned ready-to-eat items with pull-tops, including vegetables and fruit
- Protein in pouches or pull-top cans: tuna, beef stew, chili, canned chicken
- Peanut butter
- Snacks: granola bars, breakfast bars and the like
- Toiletries
- Paper goods
- Diapers
- Cleaning supplies: mops, mop buckets, brooms, bleach wipes, bleach, garbage bags, bug spray
The Houston Food Bank does not accept: Clothing, household items, baby food and other items not on this list.
Monetary donations specific to Hurricane Harvey relief can be made at hfb.convio.net/harvey.
For more on Houston Food Bank’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, head to the official website.
Those in need of food and supplies can contact the Houston Food Bank Helpline at 832-369-9390, and check out our previous coverage on how to support the food banks mobilizing in Texas right now.