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WARM asks Waller County for supplemental funding as demand and funding cuts squeeze services
Summary
Waller Assistance and Restoration Ministries (WARM) presented its 20-year service footprint and asked the court to consider county funding for client assistance in FY2026 amid rising demand, a $50,000 2024 client assistance baseline and uncertain FEMA program funding.
Representatives of Waller Assistance and Restoration Ministries (WARM) presented the nonprofit’s 20-year history, recent service statistics and a request that the county consider supplemental funding for client assistance during the FY2026 budget process.
WARM’s presenter, Eric Kolbeck, said the organization recorded more than 5,000 pantry visits last year (about a 20% year-on-year increase) and estimated nearly $500,000 in food distributed. He said WARM provided up to $50,000 in client-assistance funds during 2024 to help with rent, utilities and medical bills and that the organization distributed 175 Thanksgiving meals and partnered with Toys for Tots at Christmas.
Kolbeck described funding sources: the thrift store (about 47% of income), donor contributions (~27%), fundraisers (~20%), and donated food from partners including the food bank and Texas Department of Agriculture programs. He warned of headwinds: population growth expected to double county population in 5–8 years per the Waller Economic Development Partnership, a recent $11 million loss of federal funding to the Houston Food Bank, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (FEMA) on hold for the current calendar year.
WARM requested that the commissioners “consider county funding in 2026” to augment WARM’s client-assistance budget; Kolbeck said a $25,000 county allocation could help roughly 200 families (examples: 25 families assisted with rent, 25 with utilities, and 150 with food or gift-card supplements). Commissioners thanked WARM and said they would consider the request during budget deliberations.
Why it matters: WARM serves primarily Waller County residents (Kolbeck said 75% of clients live in Waller County) and the organization’s client-assistance fund helps households facing emergencies during a period of rapid county growth and reduced federal support to food banks.
What’s next: Commissioners said staff will review WARM’s request as part of the FY2026 budget process.
