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Harris County nonprofits report rising food insecurity as federal supply tightens
Summary
FOCUS and Valley Rescue Mission told the county commission that food insecurity and demand for emergency assistance are increasing; FOCUS reported more than $50,000 in assistance year-to-date, expanded programs from a newly purchased family center and a planned response to a regional food shortfall caused by a USDA-related interruption.
At the Nov. 4 meeting of the Harris County Board of Commissioners, representatives of FOCUS and Valley Rescue Mission told commissioners that demand for food and emergency services in the county has increased and that a regional supply disruption has tightened the nonprofit food supply.
Cathy Carlisle, a representative of FOCUS, framed the problem as "hidden poverty," citing United Way research about ALICE households and local numbers she said show 2,273 people receiving SNAP benefits, including 344 seniors. Carlisle said many working households above the federal poverty line still struggle to cover basic costs and described transportation, limited local services and elderly residents living on fixed incomes as persistent barriers.
"ALICE: asset limited, income constrained, employed," Carlisle said, summarizing the United Way definition. She told commissioners FOCUS's local…
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