Texas Hunger Relief Clearinghouse

 

What is the Texas Hunger Relief Clearinghouse?

The Texas Hunger Relief Clearinghouse is a centralized, comprehensive database of Texas-specific Internet sites relating to hunger issues, hunger relief, resources, funding opportunities, or research.

 

Goals:        For hunger relief advocates and organizations working in Texas, the Texas Hunger Relief Clearinghouse:

·        provides access to information about hunger, hunger relief issues, and available resources;

·        improves communication between hunger relief groups;

·        reduces duplication of efforts; and

·        facilitates the coordination to maximum impact.

 

If your Texas hunger relief related website isn’t on this page, drop us a line so that we may possibly include it.

 

 

Although we believe these sites provide additional resources on issues of concern to Texas and hunger relief, we do not necessarily endorse content found on any of the web sites listed.

 

Format Outline


I.              General Assistance and Referral

 

II.           Nutrition and Program Information

 

A.  Nutrition Education and Food Assistance

(including food stamps, WIC)

 

B. Food Provision

1.      General

2.      Commodity Distribution

3.      Community Gardens

4.      Farmers Markets

5.      Food Banks

6.            Food Recovery

 

C.  Services for Children and Elderly

1.      School and Summer Food Service

2.      Delivered Meals

3.      Organizations for the Aging/Elderly

 

D.  General Aid Organizations

 

E.  Colleges or University Programs

 

III.     Advocacy and Legislative Groups

 

IV.      Statistical Information

 

A. National

B. Texas

 

V.          Funding Sources and Opportunities

 

VI.      Research

 

 

 



I.          General Assistance and Referral

                                   

2-1-1 - http://www.211.org/

2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services information and referral.  2-1-1 Texas is a telephone-based information and referral service  http://www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/gethelp/index.cfm.  For example, 2-1-1 can provide access to food assistance in the area.  

 

Texas Health and Human Services Commission - https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/wps/portal

This website offers you secure online access to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) benefits including Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Children's Health Insurance, and nursing home care and other services for people who are elderly or have disabilities.  For example, it will assist an individual to determine if they may be eligible for state food assistance and if so, what steps to take.

 

Texas Information and Referral Network - - http://www.helpintexas.com/

The Texas Information and Referral Network was designated the Texas Health and Human Services Commission as a statewide information and referral network.  For example, it provides information about programs offering food assistance.  

 

United Way of Texas - http://www.uwtexas.org/

Internet site provides information on services and contacts to local United Way agencies.  Connections to food or hunger relief vary, but most local United Way agencies will have some connection to food assistance.

 

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II.      Nutrition and Program Information

 

A.         Nutrition Education and Food Assistance

 

American Dietetic Association (ADA)- http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/nutrition.html

The ADA provides food and nutrition information, daily fact sheets, links to nutrition sites, and healthy habits.

 

Better Living Texas - http://blt.tamu.edu/index.htm

The Better Living for Texans program provides nutrition education limited income families and individuals acquire the knowledge, skills and behavior necessary to maximize resources, have nutritional sound diets and improve self-sufficiency. Internet site provides program information and contacts to resources throughout Texas.

 

Department of State Health Services - WIC Central - http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/default.shtm

Department of State Health Services Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) site provides comprehensive information on the WIC program in Texas.  Services include nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and help accessing health care.

 

Expanded Nutrition Program (ENP) – http://enp.tamu.edu/

Expanded Nutrition Program (ENP) helps Texas youth and families with young children develop healthy eating and lifestyle practices by delivering research-based information and education in the home, classroom, and community group settings to help Texans, with limited resources, make better nutrition and health decisions.  Internet site provides program information and resources.

 

Produce for Better Health Foundation - http://www.pbhfoundation.org

The Produce for Better Health Foundation strives to create a healthier America through increased consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables. Website has information on educational tools, consumer resources, recipes and research.

 

Texas Commodity Assistance Program (DHS) - http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/programs/snp/texcap_csfp/

TEXCAP supplements the diets of low-income Americans by providing emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.  U.S. Department of Agriculture-donated commodities are distributed to emergency feeding organizations such as food pantries, soup kitchens and housing authorities.  Eligibility is based on income and residential location.  Internet site provides income eligibility guidelines, contact information and a link to Texas Department of Human Services Special Nutrition Program's site.

 

Texas Cooperative Extension- http://fcs.tamu.edu/food_and_nutrition/

Food and nutrition information put together by Family and Consumer Sciences including food resource management, food safety, nutrition throughout the life cycle, etc.

 

Texas HHSC Food Stamp FAQs - http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/programs/FoodStamps/FoodStampFAQ.html

Internet site provides answers to questions regarding food stamp application, eligibility, deductions, and allocations.

 

Texas Food Stamp Page - http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/programs/foodstamps/index.html

Internet site provides basic information regarding the program, eligibility (residence, citizenship, employment services, work requirement, resources, income, social security) computation of a sample food stamp household.

 

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Special Nutrition Programs - http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/programs/snp/

TDHS Special Nutrition Programs include Child and Adult Care Food Program, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Mile Program, Summer Food Service Program, Nutrition Education and Training, Texas Commodity Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and Food Distribution Program. Internet site provides program information.

 

Texas Health and Human Services Commission – Lone Star Technology Center -

http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/providers/LoneStar/EBT/EBThowto.html

Lone Star card (Electronic Benefit Transfer - EBT) Frequently Asked Questions and other information about Texas Food Stamp and TANF recipients.

 

USDA Food, Nutrition, & Consumer Services - http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/Contacts/FieldOffices/Texas.htm

The Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services provide food assistance and nutrition education. Internet site links to the field offices in Texas.

 

USDA Food Stamp Program -  http://www.fns.usda.gov/OANE/SNAP/Contacts/Texas.htm

Official federal Food Stamp Program Site. Link provides information on the state contact person for the Food Stamp Program.  

 

USDA WIC page - http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/ContactsMenu.HTM

USDA Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) site.  This link will connect to Texas contacts for WIC State Agencies, WIC Nutrition Coordinators & Breastfeeding Coordinators, WIC Farmers' Market State Agencies, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program - State Contacts, FNS WIC Offices - Headquarters & Regional Offices.

 

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II.            Nutrition and Program Information

 

B.         Food Provision

 

1. General

 

Agricultural Marketing Services, United State Department of Agriculture -

http://www.ams.usda.gov/statesummaries/TX/TXhome.htm

Agricultural Marketing Services provides state marketing profiles are broken down into several categories.  For Texas, the link connects to: Texas in Brief, Congressional district-by-district agricultural profiles, farmers market operations, organic agriculture, agricultural marketing research projects, urban demographics and consumption profiles.

 

2.   Commodity Distribution

 

American Commodity Distribution Association - http://www.commodityfoods.org/

ACDA strives to strengthen USDA’s Commodity Food Program by providing food to specific programs, centers and populations. Internet site provides legislative information and news regarding commodity distribution.

 

3.   Community Gardens

           

Statewide

 

American Community Gardening Association - http://www.communitygarden.org

The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) is a national nonprofit membership organization of professionals, volunteers and supporters of community greening in urban and rural communities.  The Association supports community gardening through facilitating the formation and expansion of state and regional community gardening networks; developing resources in support of community gardening; encouraging research and conducting educational programs.  Internet site provides organizational information and community gardening events.

 

National Gardening - http://www.garden.org/

NGA is focused primarily on children and the ways that gardening enhances education and helps build environmentally responsible adults. Primary efforts include the website http://www.Kidsgardening.com

a place where teachers, parents, and community organizers can find gardening resources; GrowLab: Activities For Growing Minds, a curriculum utilized in classrooms across the country to help students learn about science and the environment; Gardening With Kids catalog; and Youth Garden Grants. Internet site features articles, 30,000 FAQs, growing guides, an events calendar, a plant dictionary, and much more. The NGA Garden Shop offers easy online shopping for quality plants, bulbs, and gardening supplies, and all profits support NGA's educational mission.

           

                  Local Community Gardens on the Web

 

Austin:            South Austin Community Gardens - http://www.main.org/sacgarden/index.html

                        Sunshine Gardens - http://www.main.org/sunshine/index.html

                        Sustainable Food Center - http://www.sustainablefoodcenter.org

Coppell:          Coppell Community Gardenswww.coppellcommunitygarden.com

Dallas:            Gardeners in Community Development - http://www.gardendallas.org/

Houston:         Urban Harvest – http://www.urbanharvest.org

 

4.   Farmers Markets

 

AMS Texas Farmers Markets - http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/states/state06.pdf/texas.pdf

List of Agriculture Marketing Farmer's Markets in Texas, provides contact information.

 

Local Harvest - www.localharvest.org/  to map  http://www.localharvest.org/search.jsp?lat=31.421766&lon=-99.92849&scale=13.888888359069824&ty=-1&co=1&nm=

The Local Harvest map makes it easy to find family farms, farmers markets and other sources of food grown in your area.  For information in Texas, click on Texas on the map or enter Texas in the state search area.  

 

National Association of Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs http://www.nafmnp.org/stateprograms.aspx?myVal=TX

The Association is a national advocate for the FMNP, voicing the concerns of farmers and WIC participants in meetings, hearings, conferences, and other forums. Internet site provides links to legislation activities affecting farmers' markets currently under consideration in Congress, development resources and association information.

 

Pick Texas, Texas Department of Agriculture – http://www.picktexas.com/ Pick Texas is a website with listings of Farmer’s Markets, Pick Your Own Farms, Product Availability and Kid’s Information.

 

5.   Food Banks

 

Association of Second Harvest Food Banks -  http://www.secondharvest.org/

America's Second Harvest is the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization made up of a network of over 200 food banks and food-rescue programs. ASHFB provides emergency food assistance to more than 23 million hungry Americans each year, including eight million children. The site provides program information on Community Kitchens, Disaster Relief, Fresh Food Initiative, Kids Café, Seafood Initiative, Pallet For The Hungry, Production Alliance, and Relief Fleet. Internet site also provides nutrition publications and policy information.

 

Texas Association of Second Harvest Food Banks - http://tashfb.org/

TASHFB works to be a single voice uniting all food banks in Texas, fostering and facilitating cooperation between food banks themselves as well as statewide resources; particularly state government.  Click on your county to find the food bank in your community.

 

Texas Second Harvest Food Banks

 

Brazos Food Bank (Bryan)                                                  - http://www.brazosfoodbank.org/

Capital Area Food Bank (Austin)                                        - http://www.austinfoodbank.org/

Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)                   - www.victoriafoodbank.org

Concho Valley Regional Food Bank (San Angelo)           - http://conchovalleyfoodbank.org

Food Bank of Corpus Christi                                               -http://www.foodbankofcorpuschristi.org/

Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. (McAllen)         - www.foodbankrgv.org

Food Bank of West Central Texas (Abilene)                     - http://www.fbwct.org/

High Plains Food Bank  (Amarillo)                                     - http://www.hpfb.org/

Houston Food Bank                                                              - www.houstonfoodbank.org

North Texas Food Bank (Dallas)                                         - www.ntxfoodbank.org

Regional East Texas Food Bank (Tyler)                            - www.etexfoodbank.org

San Antonio Food Bank                                                       - http://www.safoodbank.org/

South Plains Food Bank (Lubbock)                                    - http://www.spfb.org

South Texas Food Bank (Laredo)                                      - http://southtexasfoodbank.org

Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont)                          - http://www.setxfoodbank.org/

Tarrant Area Food Bank                                                      - http://www.tafb.org/

West Texas Food Bank (Odessa)                                      - www.wtxfoodbank.org

Wichita Falls Area Food Bank                                            - http://www.wfareafoodbank.com/

 

6.   Food Recovery

 

Society of St. Andrew- http://www.endhunger.org/index.htm

The Society of St. Andrew is an ecumenical Christian ministry that feeds the hungry all year long by saving fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste and giving it to the needy. Internet site provides program information, gleaning and hunger facts and information, opportunities to help.

 

TACAA Share Our Surplus and Hunters for the Hungry- www.tacaa.org

Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc., is a private nonprofit corporation created to provide a unified voice for Community Action Agencies in advocacy, policy, programmatic and legislative issues affecting families and communities in the State of Texas. TACAA operates Share Our Surplus, Hunters for the Hungry, Summer Food Service Program, Food Stamp Education and Outreach Campaign, and publishes a monthly Food Journal.  Internet site includes program and contact information.

 

Texas Gleaning Network - http://www.gleantexas.org

The Texas Gleaning Network operates across much of the state (Tyler, Fort Worth, and the Panhandle area), and glean produce year round.

 

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II.      Nutrition and Program Information

 

C.         Sources for Youth and Elderly Services

 

1.   School and Summer Food Service Information and Sites

 

Action for Healthy Kids - http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/state_profile.php?state=TX

A public-private partnership of more than 50 national organizations and government agencies representing education, health, fitness and nutrition, Action for Healthy Kids addresses the epidemic of overweight, sedentary, and undernourished youth by focusing on changes in schools.  State specific contacts and action.

 

American School Food Service Association now School Nutrition Association - www.asfsa.org/

ASFSA site provides program information, child nutrition information and resources, nutrition news and links to related sites.

 

Baylor College of Medicine - http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/

Website provides nutrition news for children including research opportunities, kids energy calculator, and nutrition news.

 

Texas Health and Human Service Commission Summer Food Page - http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/programs/snp/summerfood/

TDHS main Summer Food Site. Internet site provides program information, reimbursement rates, food alerts, meal patterns, income eligibility guidelines, frequently asked questions, and information for contractors.

 

Texas Association for School Nutrition - http://www.tsfsa.org/

TSFSA is a professional organization for all levels of school food service employees established to provide resources that enhance and promote non-profit child nutrition programs for the benefit of schoolchildren. Internet site provides information on certification and education and employment opportunities.

 

Texas Department of Agriculture - http://www.squaremeals.org/

Website with information on school meal programs, resources for both parents and children, nutrition policy information and resources for child nutrition professionals.

 

Texas Department of Agriculture – Pick Texas - http://www.picktexas.com/

Website with information for children under Kid’s Corner including cool facts, get cooking, and test your knowledge.

 

USDA Summer Food Page - http://www.summerfood.usda.gov/States/outreach_initiative.html

Official site of USDA Summer Food Service Program, a Federal resource available for local sponsors to combine a feeding program with a summer activity program. Internet site provides program and administration information, eligibility guidelines, best practices, sponsors and local state agency contact information.

 

2.   Delivered meals

 

Elder Options of Texas - http://www.elderoptionsoftexas.com/index.cfm

Elder Options of Texas makes it easier for caregivers, healthcare professionals, and seniors to locate housing options, elder care resources, and community support services. Internet site provides a searchable database of senior programs, articles on a multitude of issues, specifically meal programs and nutrition links and a calendar of events.

 

Meals on Wheels Association of America - http://www.mowaa.org/

The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to the elderly. The Association provides education, training, and development opportunities, enabling its members to provide quality nutrition services and programs to the elderly. Internet site provides fact sheets on aging and nutrition issues, hunger FAQs, and Meals on Wheels locator.

 

MealCall - http://www.mealcall.org/meals-on-wheels/tx/

Lists meal organizations by city in Texas that help provide meals to seniors. 

 

3.   Aging/Elderly Issues

 

Area Agencies on Aging – directory at Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services

http://www.dads.state.tx.us/contact/combined.cfm or National Association of Area Agencies on Aging - http://www.n4a.org/links.cfm#TX

The agencies provide information on benefits counseling, home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, ombudsman, care coordination and caregiver support.  

 
Catholic Charities of Central Texas- http://www.ccctx.org/service_senior_benefits_checkup.php
Catholic Charities of Central Texas in Collaboration with the Commission on aging has added a Benefits Check Up link.  This program is intended for the older adult  (55 and over) consumer with information on federal and state level benefits that may enhance their economic status, social well-being and health. 

 

 

Texas Department on Aging and Disability Services - http://www.dads.state.tx.us/

Texas Department on Aging and Disability Services home page. Internet site provides links to services and resources, basic benefits, nursing and long-term care resources, documents and publications, and department information.

 

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II.      Nutrition and Program Information

 

D.          General Aid Organizations

 

Catholic Charities Texas Links - http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=292&srcid=193

Catholic Charities USA is a membership organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. By providing leadership, technical assistance, training, and other resources, the national office enables local agencies to better devote their own resources to serving their communities. Catholic Charities promotes innovative strategies that address human needs and social injustices. Internet site provides contact information for Catholic Charities sites in Texas.

 

Community Resource Groups - http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/crcg/crcg.htm

Community Resource Coordination Groups (known as CRCGs) are local interagency groups, comprised of public and private providers who come together to develop individual services plans for children, youth, and adults whose needs can be met only through interagency coordination and cooperation. Internet site provides information on CRCGs and links to individual offices by county.

 

Goodwill - http://www.goodwill.org/

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 208 community-based, autonomous member organizations that serve people with workplace disadvantages and disabilities by providing job training and employment services, as well as job placement opportunities and post-employment support.  Internet site provides information on Goodwill programs and services and a searchable database of Goodwill sites by zip code.

 

Salvation Army Texas - http://www.salvationarmytexas.org/

The Salvation Army provides food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, emergency rent and utility assistance, substance abuse treatment, clothing and household goods, job counseling and training, youth programs, senior citizen’s programs, and Christmas assistance. Internet site provides program information and locations.

 

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II.      Nutrition and Program Information

 

E.     Colleges or University Programs

Programs are listed without description.  When possible, the link directly connects to the dietetic or nutrition page.)

 

Baylor University, Waco Texas - http://www.baylor.edu/fcs/nutrition_sciences/

 

Prairie View A&M University, Priairie View, Texas - http://www.pvamu.edu/pages/982.asp

 

Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas - http://www.shsu.edu/%7Ehec_www/

 

Texas State University – San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas - http://www.fcs.txstate.edu/nutr.htm

 

Stephen F. Austin State University, Nagodoches, Texas - http://www.sfasu.edu/education/departments/humansciences/programs/foodnutrition/

                                                                 

Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas - http://www.tarleton.edu/~hs/dietetics.html

 

Texas A & M University, College Stations, Texas http://nutr.tamu.edu/

 

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas -  http://www.hs.ttu.edu/nhr/fn/

 

Texas Women’s University, Denton and Houston, Texas -  http://www.twu.edu/hs/nfs/

 

University of Houston, Houston, Texas -  http://www.tech.uh.edu/hdcs

 

University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas - http://www.uiw.edu/nutrition/

 

University of Texas Pan-American, Edinburg, Texas - http://www.panam.edu/dept/dietetics/

 

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas -  http://www3.utsouthwestern.edu/cn/index.htm

 

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III.     Advocacy and Legislative Issues

 

A.     National Information

 

Action Against Hunger - http://www.aah-usa.org/

Action Against Hunger directly delivers emergency aid and longer-term assistance to people suffering from the dire consequences of natural disaster or man-made crisis. Internet site provides news, hunger FAQs, research, events, publications, links to anti-hunger resources and a section on how to help.

 

Bread for the World – www.bread.org/

Bread for the World utilizes elected officials to influence legislation that affects people who are hungry.  The focus of the organization is to use power held by citizens to support policies that address the root causes of  hunger and poverty.