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Whether it is natural or man-made, The South Texas Food Bank is in the frontline of any crisis that puts our South Texas neighbors in danger of food insecurity.
RESOURCE HUB: SOUTH TEXAS FLOOD RELIEF
To our neighbors impacted by disaster: you are not alone. The South Texas Food Bank is committed to providing food assistance, connecting families with critical resources, and supporting communities throughout the recovery process.
Visit this page regularly for updated information on relief efforts, available services, and ways to help.
South Texas Flood Response - Partners
Special thanks to all those who have donated funds or time in support of our neighbors in need.
We can't do it without you!
South Texas Flood Response - Summer 2026
Recent flooding has impacted 75% of the communities within the South Texas Food Bank's service area, including Val Verde, Kinney, Dimmit, Maverick, Webb and Zapata Counties. As our neighbors work to recover from this disaster, the South Texas Food Bank is actively monitoring conditions, communicating with local officials and partner agencies, and assessing community needs to determine the most effective ways to provide assistance.
Flooding, damaged infrastructure, and road closures continue to present challenges in some areas. As conditions allow, the South Texas Food Bank stands ready to support affected individuals and families through emergency food assistance and disaster-relief efforts.
We encourage residents to follow updates from local emergency management officials, local news outlets, and trusted community sources for the latest information regarding safety, road conditions, and available resources.
The South Texas Food Bank remains committed to serving our communities during times of crisis and recovery. Together, we can help ensure that families affected by this disaster have access to the food and support they need.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Upcoming Distributions:
Location & times may be subject to change
Until supplies last - First come, first serve
* Thursday, 7/23: Maverick County (Quemado/Normandy/El Indio), 9:00 AM at Quemado Rodeo Arena. Items TBD
* Tuesday 7/28: Maverick County (Maverick County Food Pantry)
1823 S. Veterans Blvd. Eagle Pass, TX. Items TBD
HOW YOU CAN HELP
As flooding continues to impact communities across South Texas, the South Texas Food Bank is working with local partners, emergency management officials, and relief organizations to provide critical food assistance to affected families.
The need is significant, and community support is essential to helping our neighbors recover.
Make a Financial Donation
Monetary donations provide the fastest and most effective way to support flood relief efforts. Financial contributions allow us to purchase food and other urgently needed items, replenish emergency supplies, and respond quickly as community needs evolve.
Ways to donate:
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Cash App: $SouthTXFoodBank
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Visit the South Texas Food Bank during regular business hours
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Call our Accounting Office at (956) 726-3120, Ext. 103
Donate Non-Perishable Food
Donations of non-perishable food items help us support families impacted by flooding and strengthen our emergency response efforts.
Most-needed items include:
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Canned meats and tuna
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Peanut butter
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Canned fruits and vegetables
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Soup and stew
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Rice and pasta
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Beans
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Cereal and oatmeal
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Shelf-stable milk
Food donations may be delivered to the South Texas Food Bank during regular business hours.
Volunteer
Volunteers play a vital role in our disaster response efforts. As conditions allow, volunteers will be needed to sort food, assemble emergency food boxes, load vehicles, and assist with distributions throughout affected communities.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, please contact the South Texas Food Bank or follow our social media channels for updates.
Stay Informed and Share Information
You can also help by sharing accurate information about flood relief efforts, food distributions, volunteer opportunities, and donation drives with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Together, we can ensure that families affected by flooding receive the food, support, and hope they need during this challenging time.
Thank you for standing with South Texas and helping our communities recover.
Gallery
ADDITIONAL RECOVERY RESOURCES
Texas Farmers' Market: Ag Producer Support Fund
Texas Farmers' Market Ag Producer Support Fund provides emergency financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and food producers impacted by disasters and unforeseen hardships. Eligible producers may apply for assistance through the Texas Farmers' Market website. Community members may also contribute to the fund to help support local agriculture during times of crisis.
Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)
Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates statewide disaster response and recovery efforts. Residents can find information on disaster assistance programs, emergency updates, recovery resources, and guidance for individuals and communities affected by natural disasters.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial and direct assistance to eligible individuals and households affected by federally declared disasters. Assistance may include temporary housing, home repairs, personal property replacement, and other disaster-related expenses.
Texas 2-1-1
Texas 2-1-1 connects residents with local resources including shelter, food assistance, healthcare services, mental health support, utility assistance, and disaster recovery programs. Available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
SBA Disaster Assistance offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations affected by declared disasters. These loans can help cover repair, replacement, and recovery costs.
American Red Cross
American Red Cross provides emergency shelter, meals, cleanup supplies, recovery planning assistance, and other support services for disaster survivors.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers guidance and resources for agricultural producers dealing with flood damage, livestock losses, crop recovery, and disaster preparedness.
Mental Health & Crisis Support
Disasters affect more than property and infrastructure. Residents experiencing emotional distress related to the flooding are encouraged to seek support through local mental health providers, community organizations, and crisis counseling resources available through state and federal disaster programs.
Hurricane Season 2026
When it comes to preparing for hurricane season along the Gulf Coast, taking proactive steps before a storm makes landfall is crucial for individual and community resilience. The National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service emphasize that a comprehensive hurricane plan requires families to understand their local evacuation routes, secure structural vulnerabilities on their properties, and actively monitor weather advisories, such as shifting from a precautionary "Watch" to an action-oriented "Warning". A critical element of this preparation is the accumulation of emergency supplies, experts recommend assembling a "Go-Kit" containing at least three days of essential items for evacuation, alongside a "Stay-at-Home Kit" stocked with a two-week supply of shelf-stable food, water, and vital medications to endure extended utility outages.
In the wake of a devastating tropical cyclone, severe infrastructure damage and prolonged power loss often create immediate barriers to food access, heavily impacting regional food security. This is exactly where our South Texas Food Bank steps in to bridge the gap with our Disaster Relief Program. As part of the Emergency Food Assistance System, our organization mobilizes immediately following a natural disaster to deploy emergency food boxes, fresh water, and vital grocery supplies directly into the hardest-hit neighborhoods. By leveraging a robust, coordinated regional supply chain and working alongside local disaster response networks, we establish mobile distribution sites and emergency pantries to ensure that low-resourced communities and displaced families across South Texas receive the life-sustaining nutrition and comfort they need to recover and rebuild.
Starr County Flood Recovery Efforts - Spring 2025
Volunteers joined staff members from the South Texas Food Bank's Disaster Relief team in distributing food and other essentials to neighbors in San Isidro, Tx in Starr County.
On March 28th, The South Texas Food Bank activated its disaster response protocol to support our neighbors impacted by the heavy flooding caused by the torrential rains in Starr County on Thursday, March 27.
One of the most rural counties in the food bank's service region is Starr County, which has a population of about 67,000. With only two large cities—Rio Grande City and Roma—the vast bulk of the population resides in tiny rural settlements known as "ranchettes". Many of the farm roads that serve these settlements were impacted by the widespread floods. In addition to disrupting daily activities, the rising floodwaters created dangerous conditions that put lives in peril. The residents of these localities faced numerous difficulties in the days following the storm, including fallen trees, degraded roadways, and low places that were under water. In addition, there was significant harm to private property, including flooded homes, collapsed roofs, and vehicles that are now considered total losses.
One of the first organizations to respond was one of our member agencies - the food pantry at South Texas College in Rio Grande City. They held two emergency food distributions for impacted STC faculty, students, and staff on April 1 and 2. They served over 300 families and over 1000 individuals.
The food bank trucks then rolled in to San Isidro Catholic Church in San Isidro on April 3 to host an emergency drive-thru distribution. The South Texas Food Bank's Disaster Relief Team provided our neighbors with food items, cleaning and disinfecting supplies, infant formula and other critical items to members of these very small community of about 300 families. Neighbors from nearby communities attended this relief effort as well. The Relief Team assisted 275 families and 1,110 individuals at this distribution.
Those that attended the event expressed their sincere gratitude to the staff and volunteers for not "forgetting them" and "going out their way" to host this event on their behalf.
On April 4, the disaster relief team participated in the emergency food distribution at the Versailles Events Center in Rio Grande City, Texas. Over 800 families and 2,792 individuals were assisted, and 82,000 pounds of assistance was distributed to impacted community members at this event.
"We remain committed to serving our neighbors in this time of crisis and beyond," said Alma Boubel, CEO of the South Texas Food Bank. "Thank you to all the organizations, businesses, and individuals who reached out to us to offer their support in this recovery efforts. Every item, dollar and hour donated towards this makes a big difference in the lives of those who were impacted by this natural disaster."
Due to the extent of the damage, the food bank CEO foresees that additional relief efforts in the area will be needed.
The Disaster Relief team will be conducting an emergency distribution in Roma, TX on Friday, April 10 at Escobares City Hall. Those impacted by this disaster are encouraged to attend.
If you would like to make a donation, please visit our donate page. You can also call 956-726-3120 Ext. 103 during business hours or mail in your check to: P.O. BOX 2007, Laredo, TX 78044.
Thank you to the following organizations, businesses, groups, and countless volunteers for their support in this distribution:
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City of Rio Grande City, Texas
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H-E-B 13 – Rio Grande City
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H-E-B Helping Here
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H-E-B Hunger Relief
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RGC Fire Department & Emergency Management
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Rio Grande City Police Department
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San Antonio Food Bank
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San Isidro Catholic Church
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South Texas College Food Pantry
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Starr County Office of Emergency Management
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Starr County Texas Precincts 3 & 4
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Starr County Sheriff's Office
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TDEM – Region 5
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TDEM – Region 5 ISTF Members
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Versailles Events Center
Special thanks to our longstanding partner H-E-B for their donation of water and gift cards to assist with the purchase of essential supplies.
Starr County residents are encouraged to report flood damages through the Texas Division of Emergency Management iSTAT Portal: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov
Visit our Gallery for more images of our disaster relief efforts.
The South Texas Food Bank is an important component in disaster relief efforts in South Texas and surrounding areas.
As a first responder, the food bank works directly with local and state authorities in emergency management operations to provide immediate food, water, and other items to those directly affected by a disaster.
As part of the Feeding America and Feeding Texas networks, The South Texas Food Bank has an established partnership with businesses, nonprofit agencies, and other food banks that allows them to coordinate and quickly mobilize when disaster strikes.
Financial contributions, food donations and volunteerism help ensure the Food Bank is able to provide the necessary emergency assistance to those affected by disasters.
Important Notices for Emergency Distributions:
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Please have an empty trunk or backseat.
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Please provide protection for the area where your donations will be placed, whenever possible.
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Due to the limited food availability, assistance is limited to no more than once a month so all our clients get a chance to receive assistance.
Please note that the food assistance is free of charge and on a voluntary basis, The South Texas Food Bank staff, volunteers and any of its partner affiliates will not be held responsible for any damage to your vehicle. As always, we encourage all attendees to drive safely at the distribution sites and protect the area where food donations will be placed. If you have any concerns, please contact the on-site distribution coordinator immediately.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Thank you to the following for their support of our relief-efforts:
