How do I apply for SNAP?

Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Can I use a food bank without applying?

Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.

Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?

Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What is summer food service?

USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.

Food Assistance in Texas

17 verified resources.

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Texas

Texas district courts hear family matters across its 254 counties, with many urban counties operating dedicated family courts. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division runs enforcement statewide. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth are the largest metros. Texas Legal Services Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid cover the state.

17 Resources

1. Texas SNAP Food Benefits (HHS) — Free

Monthly food assistance loaded onto the Lone Star Card for low-income Texans. Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com, at a local HHS office, or by calling 2-1-1. Single fathers with dependents, custodial fathers, and low-income households may qualify. Bring proof of income, photo ID, and Social Security numbers for all household members when applying. Benefits can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets. Processing typically takes 30 days.

(800) 777-7328 · Apply online or at any local HHS office statewide · Online 24/7; offices Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

2. Feeding Texas — Statewide Food Bank Network — Free

Network of 20 member food banks serving over 4 million Texans annually through pantries, mobile distributions, and direct programs. Use the online locator at feedingtexas.org to find your nearest food bank or pantry by ZIP code. Most food pantries do not require proof of income or residency — just show up during distribution hours. Free food available to anyone in need. Covers all 254 Texas counties through the statewide member food bank network.

(512) 527-3613 · PO Box 152245, Austin, TX 78715 · Mon-Fri 9-5; food bank hours vary · Visit Website

3. Houston Food Bank — Free

One of the largest food banks in the US, serving 18 Texas counties in the greater Houston area. Network of partner agencies, food pantries, and mobile distributions delivers millions of meals each year. Find your nearest distribution site at houstonfoodbank.org or call 2-1-1. No income verification required at most distribution sites. Free food available to all Harris County and surrounding area residents in need. Partner with schools for BackPack and summer feeding programs.

(713) 223-3700 · 535 Portwall St, Houston, TX 77029 · Mon 7am-5:30pm; Tue-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat 7am-4pm · Visit Website

4. North Texas Food Bank — Free

Serves Dallas and surrounding counties with millions of meals annually through a network of food pantries, mobile distributions, and partner agencies. Also offers SNAP enrollment assistance for qualifying families at no cost. Find your nearest food distribution at ntfb.org or call 2-1-1. No income verification required at most distributions. Free food available to all North Texas residents in need. BackPack and summer feeding programs provide food for children during school breaks.

(214) 330-1396 · 3677 Mapleshade Ln, Plano, TX 75075 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm; Sat 8:30am-3:30pm · Visit Website

5. San Antonio Food Bank — Free

Serves 16 counties in Southwest Texas through a wide network of food distributions, pantries, and client services in the San Antonio area. Specialists help navigate food programs including SNAP enrollment. Find your nearest distribution at safoodbank.org or call 2-1-1. Free food available to all Southwest Texas residents in need. Bilingual English and Spanish services available. No income verification required at most pantry distributions across Bexar and surrounding counties.

(210) 431-8326 · 5200 Old Hwy 90 W, San Antonio, TX 78227 · Client Services Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-3pm · Visit Website

6. Central Texas Food Bank — Free

Serves 21 counties in Central Texas including Travis, Williamson, and surrounding areas. Distributes food through partner agencies, mobile pantries, and direct programs. Administers TEFAP USDA commodity food distribution. Find your nearest distribution at centraltexasfoodbank.org or call 2-1-1. Free food available to all Central Texas residents. BackPack and summer meal programs support children in need. No income verification required at most pantry and mobile market sites.

(512) 282-2111 · 6500 Metropolis Dr, Austin, TX 78744 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Texas WIC Program — Free

Nutritious foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals for income-eligible families with children under 5 in Texas. Fathers with custody of young children or pregnant partners may qualify. Benefits include free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and nutrition counseling. Apply at your local WIC clinic — call 211 to find the nearest location. Bring proof of income, residency, and children's ages. WIC serves children birth through age 4 and pregnant or postpartum women.

(800) 942-3678 · PO Box 149347, Austin, TX 78714 · Phone Mon-Fri 8-5; local clinics vary · Visit Website

8. TEFAP — Texas Emergency Food Assistance — Free

USDA commodity foods including canned goods, protein, dairy, and produce distributed to low-income Texans through food banks and local pantries across all 254 counties. Income eligibility typically at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. Contact your local food bank or call 211 to find TEFAP distribution sites near you. No appointment needed at most distributions. Free to all income-eligible Texas residents — bring a photo ID and proof of Texas residency.

(877) 542-2474 · TX Dept of Agriculture, PO Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711 · Distribution hours vary by site · Visit Website

9. National School Lunch Program — Texas — Free

Free or reduced-price school lunches for over 3 million Texas children daily. Apply through your child's school district — applications are available online or at the school office. Administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Income eligibility based on household size and income. Free meals for families at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. Reduced meals (30 cents) for 130-185% range. Apply at the start of each school year to ensure continuous eligibility.

(877) 542-2474 · TX Dept of Agriculture, PO Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711 · Apply through your child's school · Visit Website

10. Tarrant Area Food Bank (Fort Worth) — Free

Serves 13 counties across North Central Texas including Tarrant, Hood, Parker, and Johnson counties in the Fort Worth area. Network of 400+ partner agencies with food pantries, mobile markets, and meal programs distributing millions of pounds of food annually. Find your nearest site at tafb.org or call 2-1-1. Free food available to all residents in need — no income verification required at most distributions. BackPack program feeds children on weekends during the school year.

(817) 857-7100 · 2600 Cullen St, Fort Worth, TX 76107 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

11. East Texas Food Bank (Tyler) — Free

Serves 26 counties across East Texas including the Tyler metro area. Network of partner pantries, mobile distributions, and BackPack programs for children provides food assistance throughout the region. Find your nearest distribution at easttexasfoodbank.org or call 2-1-1. No income verification required at most sites. Free food available to all East Texas residents in need. BackPack program sends food home with food-insecure children on Fridays during the school year.

(903) 597-3663 · 3201 Robertson Rd, Tyler, TX 75701 · Mon-Fri 8-4:30 · Visit Website

12. Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley — Free

Serves Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties in the Rio Grande Valley border region. Mobile pantries, agency pantries, and produce distributions deliver food across the area. Find your nearest distribution at foodbankrgv.org or call 2-1-1. Bilingual English and Spanish services available. Free food available to all Valley residents in need — no income verification required at most distributions. BackPack and summer programs support food-insecure children throughout the school year.

(956) 682-8101 · 724 N Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

13. West Texas Food Bank (Odessa/Midland) — Free

Serves 19 West Texas counties with food pantry network, mobile distributions, and children's feeding programs in the Permian Basin region centered around Odessa and Midland. Find your nearest distribution at westexasfoodbank.org or call 2-1-1. Free food available to all West Texas residents in need. BackPack and summer meal programs support food-insecure children. No income verification required at most distributions serving the Permian Basin and surrounding West Texas communities.

(432) 580-6333 · 411 S Pagewood Ave, Odessa, TX 79761 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

14. South Texas Food Bank (Laredo) — Free

Serves Webb and Zapata counties along the Texas-Mexico border in the Laredo area. Emergency food boxes, mobile pantries, and children's BackPack program provide food assistance to border residents. Find your nearest distribution at southtexasfoodbank.org or call 2-1-1. Bilingual English and Spanish services available. Free food available to all residents in need — no income verification required at most distributions. BackPack program sends food home with children on Fridays.

(956) 726-3120 · 218 Moctezuma St, Laredo, TX 78040 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

15. Community Food Bank of El Paso — Free

Distributes food through 80+ partner agencies in El Paso County. Mobile markets, emergency food boxes, senior commodity programs, and children's feeding programs serve all El Paso County residents. Find your nearest distribution at cfbelpaso.org or call 2-1-1. Bilingual English and Spanish services available. Free food for all who need it — no income verification required at most sites. BackPack and summer programs provide food for children throughout the school year and summer.

(915) 842-7668 · 9541 Plaza Circle, El Paso, TX 79927 · Mon-Fri 8-4

16. Meals on Wheels — Texas — Free

Home-delivered meals and wellness checks for homebound seniors across Texas through over 100 local programs statewide. Sons and family members caring for elderly fathers can arrange home delivery. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or dial 2-1-1 to find the nearest program. Eligibility varies by program — typically for seniors 60+ who are homebound. Costs may be free or sliding scale. Volunteers deliver meals and provide a brief social check-in during each delivery.

211 · Programs statewide · Deliveries typically Mon-Fri 10-1 · Visit Website

17. Summer SquareMeals — Free Kids' Meals — Free

Free summer meals for all children under 18 at designated sites statewide — no application, no income check required. Text FOOD to 304-304 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find the nearest summer meal site. Sites include parks, libraries, community centers, and schools across Texas. Meals are available to any child under 18 regardless of family income. Fathers can bring their children to any designated site during program hours for free nutritious meals all summer long.

Text FOOD to 304-304 · Sites statewide · Summer months; hours vary by site · Visit Website

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?: Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?: Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?: Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?: USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.