
In a different state? Check out my other article SNAP Benefits Suspended: Where to Find Emergency Food & Community Support - which lists assistance for all states. Find your state and the resource you need.
How to Use This Texas Guide
- Immediate & Crisis Help: Essential hotlines for safety, shelter, and mental health
- Food Assistance: Connecting with SNAP, food banks, and nutrition programs
- Financial & Housing Aid: Support with housing costs and legislative developments
- Health & Mental Healthcare: Access to medical and behavioral health services
- Additional State-Specific Resources: Help for seniors, veterans, legal aid, and more
Immediate & Crisis Help
National Hotlines
- Option 1: Local resources for housing, food, and utilities.
- Option 2: Public benefits assistance (SNAP, Medicaid).
- Option 5: Mental health and substance abuse resources.
State-Wide Crisis Hotline
| LMHA/LBHA Name | Crisis Number | Counties Served (Examples) |
|---|---|---|
| The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD | 866-970-4770 | Harris |
| Austin Travis County Integral Care | 512-472-4357 | Travis |
| MHMR of Tarrant County | 800-866-2465 | Tarrant |
| North Texas Behavioral Health Authority | 866-260-8000 | Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, Rockwall |
| Bluebonnet Trails Community Services | 800-841-1255 | Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lee, Williamson |
| Gulf Coast Center | 866-729-3848 | Brazoria, Galveston |
Homelessness & Domestic Violence Resources
- Call: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: "START" to 88788
Food Assistance Programs in Texas
| Program | Official Link & Description | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP (Food Stamps) | Your Texas Benefits: The official state application website for SNAP and other benefits. | Eligibility Interview Required. Emergency (Expedited) SNAP available for qualifying households. |
| WIC | TexasWIC.org: The official site for the Texas Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. | Provides nutrition education, healthy food, and support for pregnant individuals and children up to age 5. |
| School Meals | Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA): TDA administers child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). | NSLP provides free or reduced-price lunches to eligible students. For help, call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325). |
| Local Food Banks | Feeding Texas: The state's leading food bank network, affiliated with Feeding America. | Use the ZIP code locator on their website to find a local food bank for emergency food and other community resources. |
Texas Food Bank Directory
| Food Bank | Contact Information | Counties Served (Examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Valley Food Bank | (979) 779-3663 | Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, Robertson, Washington |
| Central Texas Food Bank | (512) 282-2111 | Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Coryell, Fayette, Hays, Travis, Williamson |
| Coastal Bend Food Bank | (361) 887-6291 | Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, San Patricio |
| Concho Valley Regional Food Bank | (325) 655-3231 | Coke, Concho, Crockett, Irion, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, Reagan, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton, Tom Green |
| East Texas Food Bank | (903) 597-3663 | Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Smith, Van Zandt, Wood |
| El Pasoans Fighting Hunger | (915) 298-0353 | Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth |
| Food Bank of the Golden Crescent | (361) 578-0591 | Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria, Wharton |
| Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley | (956) 682-8101 | Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy |
| Food Bank of West Central Texas | (325) 695-6311 | Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Jones, Nolan, Runnels, Stephens, Taylor |
| Galveston County Food Bank | (409) 945-4232 | Galveston |
| High Plains Food Bank | (806) 374-8562 | Armstrong, Carson, Castro, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Gray, Hale, Hartley, Hutchinson, Moore, Potter, Randall, Wheeler |
| Houston Food Bank | (713) 223-3700 | Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Waller |
| Montgomery County Food Bank | (936) 271-8800 | Montgomery |
| North Texas Food Bank | (214) 330-1396 | Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Navarro, Rockwall |
| San Antonio Food Bank | (210) 337-3663 | Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Edwards, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, Uvalde, Wilson |
| South Plains Food Bank | (806) 763-3003 | Bailey, Cochran, Crosby, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Scurry, Terry, Yoakum |
| South Texas Food Bank | (956) 726-3120 | Dimmit, Jim Hogg, Kinney, Maverick, Starr, Val Verde, Webb, Zapata |
| Southeast Texas Food Bank | (409) 839-8777 | Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, Tyler |
| Tarrant Area Food Bank | (817) 857-7100 | Bosque, Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hamilton, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise |
| West Texas Food Bank | (432) 580-6333 | Andrews, Borden, Brewster, Crane, Dawson, Ector, Howard, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Reeves, Ward, Winkler |
| Wichita Falls Area Food Bank | (940) 766-2322 | Archer, Baylor, Clay, Foard, Haskell, Jack, Knox, Montague, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Young |
How to Find Local Pantry Details
- Visit the Food Bank's Website: Most food banks, like the Houston Food Bank and North Texas Food Bank, have online search tools on their websites. You can enter your zip code to find a list of nearby pantries, along with their addresses, hours, and contact information.
- Call the Food Bank Directly: The contact numbers provided in the table connect you to experts who can guide you to resources in your specific community.
- Call 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905) for free, confidential, multilingual assistance 24/7. They can connect you to local food assistance and other essential services.
- Check Requirements in Advance: While many pantries do not require any ID or proof of income, it is always a good idea to contact the pantry directly before your visit to confirm their current hours, any specific requirements, and what type of distribution they use (e.g., drive-thru or walk-up). Schedules can change due to weather or product availability.
Financial & Housing Assistance in Texas
| Program | Description | Official Source & Application |
|---|---|---|
| LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) | Helps eligible low-income households with heating and cooling costs, crisis assistance, and weatherization. | Application Link Unavailable Apply through your local LIHEAP office. Find it via the Your Texas Benefits portal or by calling 2-1-1. |
| TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) | Provides monthly cash payments to help families with children pay for basic needs like food, clothing, and housing. | Texas Health and Human Services Apply online: Your Texas Benefits or learn more: TANF Cash Help. |
| Unemployment Benefits | Provides temporary financial assistance to people who are unemployed through no fault of their own. | The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers this. Use the link for TANF above and look for a "Work" or "Unemployment" section, or search for "Texas Workforce Commission". |
| Rental & Housing Assistance | Programs like Section 8 vouchers help make rent affordable for low-income families, the elderly, and disabled persons. | Search the Your Texas Benefits site for "housing" or look for the "Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)". |
| Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) | Provides free home energy upgrades (like insulation and weather-stripping) to lower energy bills for eligible households. | Contact your state weatherization agency. Find it via the U.S. Department of Energy's WAP website or the Your Texas Benefits site. |
Tips for Navigating Texas Benefit Programs
- Your Texas Benefits Portal: This is the central hub for applying for and managing many state assistance programs. Creating an account here is the best first step.
- Use the 2-1-1 Helpline: For personalized help finding resources, you can call 2-1-1 from anywhere in Texas. It's a free, confidential service that connects you to local experts in housing, health care, and more.
- Gather Documents: When you're ready to apply, have documents ready like photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters), recent utility bills, and your rental agreement if applicable.
Health and Mental Health Care in Texas
Texas Medicaid and CHIP
- Official Name: Texas Medicaid
- Application Portal: Apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com. This is the state's official portal for health and social service benefits.
- Helpline: For questions about your healthcare or doctor, contact your health plan using the number on your ID card. If you don't have a health plan, call the Medicaid Helpline at 800-335-8957.
Community Health Centers (FQHCs)
- Official Finder Tool: Use the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) health center locator to find an FQHC near you by searching with your address, state, or county.
- Availability: There are 71 FQHCs in Texas operating more than 700 service delivery sites, making care accessible in most cities and many rural areas.
Sliding-Scale & Free Clinics
| Resource | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) | Nationwide network of over 1,400 clinics that provide free or nominal-cost medical, dental, and behavioral health services. | Searching for clinics statewide |
| Local Community Clinics (Example: North Texas) | Directory of free/low-cost clinics in a specific region (e.g., North Texas); contact clinics directly for current hours and fees. | Finding hyper-local options in a specific county/city |
Diaper Banks in Texas
| Region | City | Diaper Bank | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central & Hill Country | Austin | Austin Diaper Bank | 2210 Denton Dr., Austin, TX 78758 | 512-710-7232 |
| Waco | McLennon County Diaper Collective | 1701 Dutton Ave., Waco, TX 76706 | ||
| Gulf Coast & Southeast | Houston | Houston Diaper Bank | 6201 Bonhomme Rd., #250N, Houston, TX 77036 | 877-433-9832, ext. 3 |
| Spring | Northwest Houston Diaper Bank | 15555 Kuykendahl Rd., Houston, TX 77090 | 281-885-4555 | |
| Galveston | Galveston Diaper Bank | P.O. Box 193, Galveston, TX 77553 | 409-739-0070 | |
| South & Coastal Bend | San Antonio | Texas Diaper Bank | 1803 Grandstand Dr., #150, San Antonio, TX 78238 | 210-731-8118 |
| Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi Hope House | 3226 Reid Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 | 361-852-2273 | |
| North Texas | Dallas/DFW | Hope Supply Co. | 10480 Shady Trail, #104, Dallas, TX 75220 | 214-630-5765 |
| Fort Worth | Junior League of Fort Worth Diaper Bank | 255 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107 | 817-332-7500 | |
| McKinney | Baby Booties Diaper Bank | 610 N. Church St., McKinney, TX 75069 | 469-939-9316 | |
| West Texas & Panhandle | El Paso | Her Pantry (The El Paso Diaper Bank) | 4727 Hondo Pass, Ste. D., El Paso, TX 79904 | 915-201-0929 |
| Amarillo | Joseph’s Project - Catholic Charities | 2004 N. Spring St., Amarillo, TX 79107 | 806-376-4571 |
How to Get Help and What to Know
- Before You Go: Always call ahead to confirm the diaper bank's current hours of operation, distribution schedule, and any requirements (like photo ID or proof of residence).
- If No Bank is Nearby: If your county is not listed, you can call 2-1-1 for immediate assistance or contact Save Texas Moms at 833-721-MOMS (6667) for help finding emergency supplies.
- Understanding Diaper Need: Diapers are a significant financial burden, costing between $840 to $1,000 per year per child. In Texas, nearly 1 in 2 families struggles to afford them.
- Additional Services: Many of these banks also provide other essential items like baby wipes, period supplies, and adult incontinence products. Some, like the Texas Diaper Bank, also offer parenting workshops and child healthcare resources.
Clothing Banks in Texas
| Service Type | Organization/Network | Key Locations | Contact & Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Donation Drop Boxes | Clothing Pickup Texas | Statewide boxes in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, Brownsville | Donations in bags; call 1-800-627-6051 for tax receipt |
| 24/7 Donation Drop Boxes | Eco-Spot Donations | Hundreds of bins across Texas; donation center in Austin | Austin center: 4610 Ranch Road 620 N. (Open daily 9 am–5 pm) |
| Community Clothes Closet | Clothed By Faith | Katy & Deer Park locations; provides clothing directly to those in need | Katy: 802 Dominion Dr. Deer Park: 438 E 8th St. Open Mon-Fri, 10 am-4 pm |
| Community Clothes Closet | The Storehouse of Plano | Plano; outdoor donation shed open 24/7 | Address: 1401 Mira Vista Blvd. Accepts gently used clothing and new items |
| Scheduled Pickup Service | Austin Resource Recovery | Austin curbside collection (for city residents) | Schedule online or call 512-637-7196; free contactless pickup |
| Scheduled Pickup Service | Clothing Pickup Texas | Service in most Texas areas | Schedule a free charity pickup from home |
What and How to Donate
- What to Give: Most organizations welcome gently used clothing, shoes, purses, belts, and accessories for all ages and genders. Many also accept household items like linens, towels, blankets, and small housewares.
- How to Prepare: Please place clothing in a bag (like a 13-gallon trash bag) or a box. Checking and cleaning the items is always appreciated.
- Tax Receipts: Most 501(c)(3) non-profits like Clothed By Faith can provide tax receipts for your donations. For unattended drop boxes, you may need to call a number to request a receipt.
Community Aid I've Seen Posted on Social Media for Texas
(in response to SNAP & Gov Shutdown)
Additional Resources in Texas
Legal Aid
- Legal Hotline for Texans: Free advice for Texans aged 60+ or those who qualify for Medicare on issues like elder law, housing, and public benefits.
- Texas Veterans Legal Assistance Project: Helps veterans with issues including discharge upgrades, disability appeals, and family law.
- Crime Victims Litigation: Assists victims of violent crime and identity theft.
- CPS Family Helpline: Provides confidential information to parents with questions about the Child Protective Services system.
Veteran Services
Aging and Disability Services
- Information, referral, and assistance
- Benefits counseling and legal assistance
- Care coordination and caregiver support
- Nutrition services (congregate and home-delivered meals)
- Ombudsman Program for long-term care advocacy
Utility Assistance Programs
Child Care Subsidies
- Child Care Assistance: Financial help for child care is available through Texas Health and Human Services.
- Texas Rising Star: This is the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), which helps families identify high-quality child care providers
How to Get Involved with Mutual Aid in Texas
| Organization | Service Area | Volunteer Role & Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Central Texas Food Bank | Central Texas | Pack/distribute food, support mobile pantries & community kitchens. |
| Houston Food Bank | 18-county region | Support network of 1,600+ community partners providing food assistance. |
| El Buen Samaritano | Austin (focus on Latinx community) | Assist with food bank after application and training process. |
| Meals on Wheels | Central Texas | Deliver meals to seniors; training provided and routes available. |
| Mobile Loaves & Fishes | Austin | Prepare meals, serve on food trucks, or support Community First! Village. |
| Lone Star Legal Aid | Statewide | Provide civil legal assistance to low-income Texans (attorneys, paralegals, students). |
Local Mutual Aid Networks
- Austin Mutual Aid (AMA): This group provides direct support to unhoused communities through camp support, harm reduction (Narcan and fentanyl test kits), a clean clothes program, and a food pantry. They also engage in legislative advocacy and run a Facebook group with over 25,000 members to match needs with offers of help.
- ATX Mutual Aid for COVID-19: A Facebook group created to facilitate community and information sharing where members can offer services or ask for help.
- Bread and Blankets Mutual Aid: Located in San Antonio, this group has served the community for decades, distributing food, water, and clothing directly to unhoused individuals. They often put out calls for specific supplies, especially during extreme heat.
Tips for Getting Started
- Contact Before Volunteering: For formal organizations, you will often need to register in advance. For mutual aid groups, simply join their social media channels or send an email to introduce yourself.
- Mutual Aid is Flexible: You don't have to commit to a regular schedule. You can offer one-time help, donate specific items when a need is posted, or share your skills (like giving rides or helping with resumes).
- Verify Current Needs: The information for some groups, particularly those in Austin, comes from a 2020 article. While many are still active, their specific needs or contact methods may have evolved, so it's best to check their current social media pages or websites for the most up-to-date information.
Important Notes & Disclaimer
- Information is Subject to Change: The details provided on this page (including phone numbers, addresses, hours of operation, and eligibility requirements) are gathered from public sources and are subject to change without notice. We strive to keep this information current, but we cannot guarantee its absolute accuracy at all times.
- Always Verify Directly: You should always confirm details by contacting the organization directly before visiting or applying. We highly recommend calling ahead to check for current hours, availability of services, documentation requirements, and appointment procedures.
- Not an Official Source: This blog is not a government agency, social service provider, or legal entity. We are a private resource compiling publicly available information to help our community. We cannot determine your eligibility for any program, provide direct financial assistance, or guarantee that you will receive services.
- No Eligibility Determinations: The inclusion of a program or organization on this list does not imply endorsement or a guarantee that you will qualify for assistance. Eligibility for all programs is determined solely by the administering organizations based on their specific guidelines.
- Use at Your Own Discretion: While we aim to list reputable organizations, we encourage you to use your best judgment when contacting and working with any service provider.
If you know of other resources not mentioned, please comment them, and I will be happy to add them to this guide!
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