The season of giving is here, and the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 48 (HCESD 48) is once again stepping up to serve the community in more ways than one. From December 1 through December 6, all five HCESD 48 fire stations will be collecting canned goods and online donations as part of the 45th Annual ABC13 Share Your Holidays Food Drive, benefiting the Houston Food Bank.

This long-standing local tradition brings neighbors together to ensure no family goes without a holiday meal. But this year, the need is especially urgent.

A Season of Giving, A Time of Need

Thanks to recent federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, many families who were already living on the edge are now facing even greater hardship. According to the Houston Food Bank, nearly 1 million people across the 18 counties they serve in southeast Texas are considered food insecure. That includes families right here in Katy, West Houston, and unincorporated Harris County.

Due to inflation and reduced SNAP benefits, local fire officials say they’ve seen a growing number of residents relying on food banks and other community resources to meet basic needs. This year’s food drive is viewed as a crucial opportunity for The Lakes neighbors to come together and ensure that no one in the community goes without during the holidays.

How to Donate: Locations and Details

Residents across the HCESD 48 service area — which spans nearly 30 square miles and serves roughly 160,000 residents, including those in The Lakes — are encouraged to donate non-perishable items or contribute online. Every dollar donated helps provide three meals through the Houston Food Bank.

Drop Off Locations (December 1–6)

• Fire Station #1: 24127 Western Centre Dr., Katy, TX 77494 (MAP)

• Fire Station #3: 1773 Westgreen Blvd., Katy, TX 77450 (MAP)

• Fire Station #4: 22855 Franz Rd., Katy, TX 77449 (MAP)

• Fire Station #5: 21201 Morton Rd., Katy, TX 77449 (MAP)

Prefer to donate online?

Visit HCESD 48’s Share Your Holidays Team Page or text "SYH20252" to 71777 to give directly.

Community Spirit in Action

With a goal of raising $2,500, HCESD 48 is joining forces with ABC13 and the Houston Food Bank to help reach the overall target of $75,000. Beyond the numbers, the drive is about kindness, generosity, and helping neighbors in need — values that continue to define The Lakes and the broader Katy and West Houston communities.

Whether you’re dropping off canned goods, sending in a small donation, or spreading the word, every contribution matters. As the campaign says: Let’s fight hunger and spread hope this season — one meal at a time.

For more on ABC13’s Share Your Holidays event and how to help, visit houstonfoodbank.org/upcomingevent/share-your-holidays-2025.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.