Montgomery County Food Bank: A Pillar of Strength and Hope in the Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which displaced families, damaged homes, and spoiled groceries due to widespread power outages, essential resources in Montgomery County were scarce. Montgomery County Food Bank stood as a beacon of resilience and support for the community. Over the past two weeks, the Food Bank worked tirelessly to provide emergency food and water to those affected by the storm, serving as a critical lifeline for thousands of children, families and seniors in need.

On average, Montgomery County Food Bank provides food assistance to approximately 22,500 client contacts per week. However, in the past two weeks alone, the Food Bank served an additional 28,886 client contacts impacted by Hurricane Beryl through its network of over 80 partner agencies and community partnerships. This brings the total number of client contacts served to an astonishing 73,886 in just two weeks. For comparison, the Food Bank served around 80,000 client contacts per month in 2023, highlighting the tremendous effort and community support in response to the recent crisis.

“I spoke with a mother of two young children waiting in line at the Wildkat Resource Center distribution in Willis. Like many others, her family had been without power for an extended time. Holding a fistful of pennies, she told me it was all she had left for gas and food. With tears in her eyes, she expressed how much this food meant to her after losing everything in the power outage. Her children, sitting in the back seat, were overjoyed to receive a cold watermelon to take home and enjoy together. This moment highlights the critical importance of our relief efforts in times of crisis,” said Kristine Marlow, President and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank.

The Food Bank’s efforts included hosting 13 emergency food and water distributions and supporting 30 additional distributions across the county. In addition to its regular operations, this ensured that essential resources reached the hardest-hit areas throughout the county. In total, the Food Bank distributed 770,181 pounds of food and water. The Food Bank alone distributed over 100,000 bottles of water, and through its partnership with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, provided an additional 150,000 bottles.

The community's response is equally inspiring, with 429 Food Bank volunteers contributing 2,295 hours to the relief efforts. In less than a week, these dedicated individuals built over 3,500 disaster boxes, showcasing the incredible spirit of teamwork and compassion that defines Montgomery County.

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, partners and volunteers,” said Marlow. “In times of crisis, we are reminded of the power of unity and the importance of coming together to help our neighbors in need. We are stronger together, and the response to Hurricane Beryl has truly demonstrated that.”

The Food Bank extends heartfelt thanks to its network of partner agencies and the numerous organizations and retailers that donated emergency food and water, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, H-E-B, Kroger and Walmart, as well as its partnership with the the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Together, they made a significant impact in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Beryl, reinforcing the Food Bank’s commitment to fighting hunger and providing hope in times of need. The Food Bank also recognizes the swift and intentional generosity of individual supporters whose monetary donations provided critical assistance during this time.

If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, visit the Food Bank’s website at mcfoodbank.org to find a food pantry or mobile distribution near you.

The Food Bank’s most urgent need is financial support as recovery efforts continue. Donations help the Food Bank acquire and distribute essential food and water. Every dollar donated provides up to four meals. In addition to monetary donations, you can support by volunteering your time and helping spread the word. To make a donation, view the Food Bank’s list of Most Needed Items, and sign up to volunteer, visit mcfoodbank.org.

Photos