Resource guide
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
The YMCA of Greater Houston has announced its food distribution sites for September. For updates, go to ymcahouston.org/food-distribution. Fort Bend County Fairgrounds: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Mondays; 4310 Texas 36, Rosenberg
Connect YMCA: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Mondays; 6700 Bellaire Blvd., Houston
Holy Name Catholic Church: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Mondays; 1920 Marion, Houston
Houston Texans YMCA: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Tuesdays; 5202 Griggs Road, Houston East End YMCA: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Tuesdays; 6001 Gulf Freeway, Houston Aldine-Greenspoint Family YMCA: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Tuesdays; 12351 Kuykendahl Road, Houston Wendel D. Ley Family YMCA: 10 a.m. until supplies are gone Wednesdays; 15055 Wallisville Road, Houston YMCA International Services: 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; 6300 Westpark Dr., Suite 600, Houston Aldine-Greenspoint YMCA at Tom Wussow Park: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Thursdays; 500 Greens Road, Houston
HCC Alief Hayes Campus: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Fridays; 2811 Hayes Road;
Southwest Central Church of Christ: 9 a.m. until supplies are gone on Sept. 26; 4011 W. Bellfort Tellepsen Family YMCA Food Pantry: Monday-Friday by appointment only. Call 713-659-8501. SNAP Application: The Community Assistance Program has reopened its doors at the Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall St. From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, the CAP staff helps eligible, low-income residents apply for economic benefits. You can also apply for help by calling 832369-9390 or sending an email to cap.resource@houstonfoodbank.org. SNAP benefits can be used to buy food products.
Grocery and PPE Giveaway: State Rep. Ron Reynolds, the American Caribbean Chamber of Commerce and recording artist Leigha Gabrielle will give away groceries and face masks 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Abiding Faith Church, 15376 Fondren, Missouri City.
HOW TO HELP
Houston Food Bank: The food bank needs volunteers to help with increased distribution demand and to help with hurricane preparedness. The food bank has a new warehouse — referred to as North Branch, at 146 Knobcrest — to help alleviate demand at the main warehouse at I-10 and Gellhorn. Volunteers age 16 and older are needed to build home delivery kits and disaster boxes from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Masks are required and social distancing is practiced. Sign up in advance at houstonfoodbank.org/ ways-to-give/give-time or call 713-547-8604. Make money donations online at houstonfoodbank.org.
Test and donate: The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is in need of blood donations. It is by appointment only; to register or find a list of places to donate blood, go to giveblood.org or call 409-948-4211.
UTILITIES
BakerRipley: BakerRipley is offering assistance to low-income Harris County residents in need of help paying utility bills. To apply, go to bakerripley.org/services/ utility-assistance-program or call 713-5902327.
LEGAL HELP
Fighting evictions: Several local legal groups are banding together to help Houston-area residents fighting evictions. Anyone needing assistance should go to hba.org/evictions for information on free legal representation. It includes a self-representation kit, mediation and lawyer referrals. Groups participating are the Houston Bar Association, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Dispute Resolution Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, South Texas College of Law Houston, Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Policy, and the University of Houston Law Center. Other sources of information include makejusticehappen.org, email info@hvlp.org or call 713-228-0735. Anyone who has received an eviction notice should act as soon as possible. Veterans Legal Initiative: Legal clinics with free advice and representation for low-income veterans are offered 2-5 p.m. Fridays by phone. Submit applications by phone (713-228-0735) or online at makejusticehappen.org. The clinic is open to all low-income U.S. veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in the Houston area.