HIM Food Pantry: Tips For The Well-Intended But Very Busy

In 2025, Woodland Heights is an affluent neighborhood. We are truly blessed to enjoy the quality of life that we do. It’s incumbent upon us to share some of our good fortune, to give a hand up to others who are in need. In a country and neighborhood like ours, no-one should go hungry.

Earlier this month Zion Lutheran Church held a service camp. A group of young people undertook a week of various projects in service to the community. One of the things they did was to distribute contribution bags for the Houston Interfaith Ministries (HIM) Food Pantry throughout the neighborhood. Some of these bags were available at our July Member’s Meeting. We made sure that any remaining were also distributed to porches in the neighborhood.

The bags get distributed, but only a portion are filled for collection. Everyone is so very busy with the basics of life. Work, home, kids. It can be a lot. It can be difficult to make time for the other things we might want to do, like dealing with the HIM Food Pantry contribution bags. So, I’m here to offer a couple of tips on ways you can help that take very little time or effort.

Amazon

HIM Food Pantry maintains an Amazon Wish List. That means that you can make a contribution of they very things that they really need, right from the comfort of your own home or office. Heck, do it from your phone while you’re waiting to pickup the kids or going through the car wash!

Kroger

Woodland Heights is literally hemmed in by Kroger stores. So, chances are very good that you shop at Kroger. You can link your Kroger Plus card to Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry (organization #NR183.) Once this is done, every time you shop at Kroger, the company will send a small amount to the Food Pantry. It costs you nothing except a few minutes to get it setup. We’re told that such ongoing contributions are a significant source of revenue to the Food Pantry. Click here to get started.

There you have it! Two ways to help those in need, with very little effort. Of course, for the more traditional, you can always drop donations to the “Feed Frank” depository in the parking lot at: Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry, 3523 Beauchamp, Houston, TX 77009.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fight Hunger

Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry

Did you know that right around the corner on Beauchamp Street, many of your neighbors volunteer weekly to package and deliver food to needy families? The  Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry (HIM) has been in operation since June 2009, and its volunteer crew has continued without interruption through hurricanes, floods, freezing weather, and even a global pandemic.

"Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry serves families across Houston from a small outpost in the Heights. The Pantry works to respectfully nourish our neighbors in need with food and resources to help improve their lives. Since the Pantry opened in 2009, we have relied on the support of our community to make this happen. We currently serve nearly 200 families weekly, and our volunteers and community donors are critically important to our mission," said Laurie  Hardwick, Treasurer of Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry.

Serving Neighbors in Need

The Heights Interfaith Ministries Pantry provides clients a nutritious selection of food items, including non-perishable staples, eggs, fresh produce, basic toiletries, frozen meat, bread and sweets, and other items as available. In 2024, they served (2024 Annual Report.)

• 9,753 families, a 10% increase over 2023

• 19% of clients served were new to the Pantry

• Distributed over 630,000 pounds of food

• Over 335 volunteers provided 9,282 service hours

• Served an average of 195 families weekly from across the Houston area

• Provided close to 60 pounds of food to each client served

Six member churches (Christ the King Catholic Church, Church at 1548 Heights, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, St. Mark's United Methodist, The Vineyard of Houston, and Zion Lutheran Church) provide operational oversight and volunteer and financial support for the Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry. Second Servings Houston, Kroger, Panera, El Rancho, Starbucks, Apple Spice Catering, and The Kolache Shoppe provide additional partnerships and community support.

Interested in helping?

There are many ways you can become a part of neighbors helping neighbors fight hunger, including:

• Volunteering - The Pantry needs over 40 volunteers every week to operate. No prior experience is needed.

• Hold a food drive – Ongoing needs include meals in a can (chili, ravioli, hearty soups, etc.), canned beans,

• pasta and sauce, vegetables, and peanut butter. Every donation helps!

• Make a monetary donation - Your donations help us purchase staples weekly.

To learn more information or sign up, visit the HIM website at himfoodpantry.org

Support Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Bank