Michael Adkison/Houston Public Media
Ivan Sanchez speaks at a press conference at VFW’s Spring Branch office announcing a food drive for Fort Hood soldiers, on Nov. 3, 2025.
Military service members at Fort Hood may not receive paychecks this month, amidst the federal government shutdown, and Several Houston-area nonprofits are asking for donations as part of a food drive.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8790, located in Spring Branch, is hosting a food drive from Monday through Friday, with the intent of delivering the food to Fort Hood early Saturday morning. That drive is in collaboration with Houston Millennials, Rotary District 5890, Hearts of Grace Foundation, Hoodies for Healing, and Social Good in Action.
Those advocates are asking for donations of nonperishable items, canned goods, boxed foods, diapers, and baby formula. Those items can be dropped off at the VFW post headquarters in Northwest Houston.
“This isn’t politics — it’s humanity,” Ivan Sanchez, President of Houston Millennials, said. “Soldiers are still showing up to serve, but many aren’t sure when their next paycheck will come. We’re simply doing what Houston does best — standing up when our heroes need us most.”
With the federal government shutdown, military service members have continued working in Fort Hood, even without pay. Advocates hosting the food drive said in a press release that, while soldiers have received their delayed mid-October paychecks, there is no guarantee of a November paycheck.
VFW’s president said food pantries at Fort Hood are also beginning to run low.
“We heard directly from the VFW Department of Texas Foundation that soldiers at Fort Hood are already experiencing food insecurity and uncertainty about future pay,” Catherine Alexander, VFW Post 8790 President, said. “When we got that call, we knew Houston would respond. No soldier who serves our nation should have to worry about feeding their family.”
VFW and its affiliates hope to fill a semi-truck with food and supplies to send to Fort Hood. They plan to leave Houston at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Donations can be brought before then.
Here are more details about what the drive is asking for:
Canned Food: Vegetables, fruit, soup, beans, chili, pasta
Dry Goods: Rice, pasta, box mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, oatmeal, cereal, pancake mix
Pantry Goods: Peanut butter, jam, cooking oil, flour, sugar, salt, pepper, baking mixes
Beverages: Coffee, water, soda
Snacks & Extras: Granola, crackers, trail mix, applesauce, snack packs
Condiments
Baby formula and diapers
Can openers