The Houston Food Bank is the largest source of free and low-cost food for hungry people in 18 southeast Texas counties. A network of more than 400 charities, feeding a total of 137,000 people each week, distributes more than 46 million pounds of food and prepared meals annually.

Fresh produce, meat and nonperishables are distributed from Herzstein Center, a 73,000 square-foot warehouse, and hot and frozen meals are prepared and distributed from Keegan Center, a 15,000 square-foot industrial kitchen.

Additional community services range from nutrition education to assistance with food stamp applications and hands-on job training. Red Barrels offer a convenient way for grocery shoppers to donate nonperishables for their neighbors in need.

The Houston Food Bank, founded in 1982, is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. The organization plans to grow to an annual distribution of 120 million pounds of food by 2018.