The Houston Food Bank launched a special food distribution center for unpaid federal workers amid the government shutdown.
HOUSTON — The Houston Food Bank launched a special distribution center for unpaid federal workers on Wednesday at HISD Barnett Stadium, as the government shutdown reached its 29th day.
The distribution center opened at 3 p.m. and was scheduled to run until 7 p.m., with volunteers loading food directly into recipients’ vehicles. The center saw a steady stream of cars when it first opened, though traffic slowed later in the evening.
“This is about helping our federal employees, those that are going through a difficult time right now,” said Jeffrey Dodson, a board member of the Houston Food Bank. “The Food Bank is an incredible organization, logistics organization that’s able to bring food from areas where there’s excess and put it in places where there’s demand.”
The food distribution included both perishable and nonperishable items, with donations ranging from gallons of milk to oranges. Federal employees who are not receiving paychecks due to the shutdown were able to drive through and receive food at distribution tents.
Food recipients reported that the process went smoothly.
Dodson praised the organization’s response capabilities.
“I don’t think there’s an organization that better responds in the time of need and crisis, as does the Houston Food Bank and the staff that that really run the food bank do an incredible job,” he said.
The Houston Food Bank has additional distributions planned throughout the coming month. Those future events will also be available to SNAP recipients, as those benefits are set to stop on November 1.
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