The winter holiday break can present challenges for Houstonians who typically depend on their child’s school to help meet their food needs. 

Many Houston-area school districts do not provide food or meal services while closed for break. Instead, some partner with local nonprofits or charitable organizations to distribute groceries and meals to families in need of assistance. 

If you need help with groceries or meals over the holidays, use our interactive map below to locate assistance. 

Some of the most common materials you may need to bring with you are:

• A photo ID
• Proof of income, such as a pay stub
• A Social Security card
• Birth certificates or identification for children in your home
• Proof of residence, such as a bill addressed to your current address or a leasing agreement
• Records of any government assistance you may already receive

Organizations vary greatly in their availability and requirements — and some don’t have any at all. So be sure to click on each location in our map to read its hours, contact information and sign-up requirements.

Did we miss you? If your organization offers free food assistance over the holidays and you would like to be included in our list, please email miranda@houstonlanding.org. 

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Schools don’t feed kids over winter break. Here’s where families can find free food.

by Miranda Dunlap, Houston Landing
December 19, 2023

<h1>Schools don’t feed kids over winter break. Here’s where families can find free food.</h1> <p class="byline">by Miranda Dunlap, Houston Landing <br />December 19, 2023</p> <p>The winter holiday break can present challenges for Houstonians who typically depend on their child’s school to help meet their food needs.&nbsp;</p> <p>Many Houston-area school districts do not provide food or meal services while closed for break. Instead, some partner with local nonprofits or charitable organizations to distribute groceries and meals to families in need of assistance.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you need help with groceries or meals over the holidays, use our interactive map below to locate assistance. </p> <p>Some of the most common materials you may need to bring with you are:</p> <ul> <li>A photo ID</li> <li>Proof of income, such as a pay stub</li> <li>A Social Security card</li> <li>Birth certificates or identification for children in your home</li> <li>Proof of residence, such as a bill addressed to your current address or a leasing agreement</li> <li>Records of any government assistance you may already receive</li> </ul> <p>Organizations vary greatly in their availability and requirements — and some don’t have any at all. So be sure to click on each location in our map to read its hours, contact information and sign-up requirements.</p> <p>Did we miss you? If your organization offers free food assistance over the holidays and you would like to be included in our list, please email <a href="mailto:miranda@houstonlanding.org">miranda@houstonlanding.org</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://houstonlanding.org/schools-dont-feed-kids-over-winter-break-heres-where-families-can-find-free-food/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://houstonlanding.org">Houston Landing</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-Frame-5-2.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://houstonlanding.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=20827&amp;ga4=G-4E41V78RX3" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

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