Galveston County Food Bank Halts Mobile Distributions: What This Means for Local Pantries and Families in Need

John McBride, 72, is a veteran navigating life in Galveston after major hip surgery. He relies on grocery deliveries to his second-floor studio apartment. With a monthly pension of $1,500 and just $26 in food stamps, programs like St. Vincent’s House’s delivery service are essential for him.

“It helps a lot,” McBride shares about St. Vincent’s. Still, nonprofit leaders are concerned. The Galveston County Food Bank is facing a severe supply shortage, affecting food programs vital for residents like McBride.

Paula Tobon, the Executive Director of St. Vincent’s House, describes the situation as a “crisis.” “We get about 80% of our food from the Galveston County Food Bank,” she says. With their current shortages, they struggle to serve families and seniors.

This crisis became evident when the food bank announced no mobile distribution events for May due to a produce shortage beyond their control. This service previously helped thousands; in March, it assisted over 13,000 people through nearly 30 events.

Despite the pause, food bank President Donnie VanAckeren remains hopeful. He mentions that they are in talks to resume events soon, as produce availability is starting to improve.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Agriculture Department has made cuts to pandemic-era programs supporting food banks, potentially exacerbating these shortages. The Houston Food Bank, with which Galveston County Food Bank is affiliated, faces an $11 million reduction in federal funding. Such cuts could mean 500 fewer truckloads of food for needy families.

Local agencies are feeling the pinch too. At the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center, Executive Director Angelica Hanley notes their pantry is the “barest” it has ever been. In previous years, they received up to ten pallets of food weekly; now, they’re down to just one.

Over 1,000 clients visit St. Vincent’s pantry weekly, and they’ve also seen drastic reductions in their supplies. Generally, they receive around 9,000 pounds of food each week but recently got only 1,100 pounds.

Both Tobon and Hanley stress the importance of their community. Residents often step up in times of need, and many are encouraged to clean out their pantries and donate. With local support, there’s hope the food programs can weather this storm.

According to recent statistics, an estimated 83% of St. Vincent’s pantry clients are referred to other services, indicating that food security is often linked with broader needs. The crisis at Galveston County Food Bank is a reminder of the interdependence of community resources.

This situation highlights a growing concern on a national level about food insecurity and the challenges nonprofits face today. As experts point out, if food supply issues continue, we may need to rethink how we support those in need and reinforce community ties.

For additional information on food security challenges in the United States, you can visit the [U.S. Department of Agriculture](https://www.usda.gov). A community united can make a difference, especially in tough times.

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