The Houston Food Bank is a solution to both hunger and food waste. America's largest — and nationally recognized as Feeding America’s Food Bank of the Year in 2015 — the Houston Food Bank distributes 83 million nutritious meals through its network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other hunger relief charities in southeast Texas, feeding 800,000 individuals each year.
Volunteers can produce the equivalent of a meal a minute while helping the Houston Food Bank sort, process, and pack food. Beyond volunteering at the Houston Food Bank, there are also plenty of opportunities to get involved offsite by helping distribute food and school supplies at special events.
Empty Bowls is an international effort to fight hunger, implemented in Houston to benefit the Houston Food Bank. This unique lunch fundraiser is a collaboration between Houston-area ceramists, wood turners, and artists working in all media and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Attendees receive a simple lunch of soup and bread provided by Sweet Tomatoes, and then select a bowl from 1,500-plus hand-crafted bowls donated by Houston-area artists. The empty bowls serve as a reminder of all the empty bowls in our community and the world. Live music and artist demonstrations happen throughout the day.
The Houston Food Bank's giving societies — the Feeding Hope Society and the Full Plate Society — are an easy way to provide ongoing, reliable support to the Houston Food Bank so that it can continue to give nutritious food to families, children, seniors, and others who need help.