Montgomery County Food Bank’s Network Serves Over 95,000 Client Contacts in October - Second Highest Month in its History

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- According to new data from the USDA, Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. The USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. Feeding Texas states that nearly 1 in 6 Texan households are food insecure, meaning more than 1.7 million families are at risk for hunger.

Montgomery County is facing a high demand for food assistance with a notable surge in the past month. In October alone, Montgomery County Food Bank supported 95,163 individual client contacts through its network of over 80 partner agencies including food pantries, schools, senior living facilities, and more. This staggering figure marks the second highest monthly outreach in the Food Bank's history, only surpassed by the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, when its network served 104,000 client contacts.

The holiday season is Montgomery County Food Bank’s busiest time of year, and the high need is not expected to slow down. The rising cost of groceries and other essentials makes it difficult for people to make ends meet, and the Food Bank is contending with a limited supply of resources - a situation ongoing since the beginning of 2022.

"Our community is facing an unprecedented level of need for food assistance, and the demand continues to rise,” said Kristine Marlow, President and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank. “The escalating costs of living have put a strain on many families, making it challenging for them to put food on the table. We are urging our compassionate community to come together and support those in need. Your assistance, whether through donations or volunteer efforts, can make a meaningful impact in ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry during these challenging times.”

There are many ways to get involved with Montgomery County Food Bank including donating, volunteering and spreading the word about the need in the community. Visit mcfoodbank.org to sign up for a volunteer shift or make a donation where every $1 provides up to four meals. This impact is made possible by the Food Bank’s strong buying and sourcing power.