Volunteering with Montgomery County Food Bank Brings Neighbors Together to Fight Hunger Across Montgomery County
For four decades, Montgomery County Food Bank has served as a vital lifeline for children, seniors, and families facing food insecurity across Montgomery County. Established in 1985, the nonprofit hunger relief organization unites neighbors around a shared mission: ensuring everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food. Today, that mission is carried forward by a network of more than 90 partner agencies—and powered by volunteers who show up every day ready to help.
The Food Bank receives, processes, and distributes donated and surplus food from grocery retailers, wholesalers, community food drives, and government commodity programs through its partnership with the Houston Food Bank. As an affiliate of Houston Food Bank and a member of Feeding Texas and Feeding America, Montgomery County Food Bank plays a critical role in the regional food assistance system. In 2024 alone, the organization served nearly nine million meals and relied on more than 9,900 volunteers who contributed over 47,000 hours of service to support neighbors in need.
That impact is deeply felt at the local level, especially through partner pantries like the Food Pantry at New Caney Fellowship. The pantry, founded 13 years ago by Ruby Hunt, now serves approximately 150 families each month—a number that has grown significantly over the past five years. Volunteers like Tammy help unload food deliveries every Wednesday and distribute groceries, clothing, and holiday baskets to families every Thursday. Her commitment often extends beyond scheduled pantry hours, including delivering food directly to neighbors who are elderly or caring for large families.
“We’re here to serve [our neighbors] and we’re happy to serve them,” Tammy shared of her volunteer work with the food pantry at New Caney Fellowship.
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Volunteers across Montgomery County can choose from a wide range of opportunities that match their interests and availability. Onsite roles at the Food Bank’s warehouse include general sorting of shelf-stable items, organizing fresh produce in the Produce Rescue Center, and handling refrigerated and frozen goods. Offsite opportunities allow volunteers to work directly with neighbors through senior grocery deliveries and Mobile Markets—drive-thru food distributions that provide essential groceries to families and individuals in high-need areas.
Group volunteering is also a popular option for families, civic organizations, faith groups, and businesses looking to give back together. These shared experiences not only help meet critical community needs but also strengthen relationships and foster a deeper sense of connection. Many employers further amplify this impact through volunteer matching programs, turning hours served into even greater community benefit.
The need for volunteers continues to grow alongside demand for food assistance. Montgomery County Food Bank relies on more than 1,000 volunteers each month to help meet rising needs, which reached record levels in 2024 with more than 85,000 neighbor engagements per month.
Whether sorting food behind the scenes or handing groceries directly to neighbors, each volunteer plays a role in sustaining a stronger, more food-secure Montgomery County.
Individuals and groups interested in volunteering can find daily opportunities throughout the year. To schedule a group volunteer shift, contact volunteer@mcfoodbank.org or call 936-271-8800. More information about volunteer roles and community impact is available at MCFoodBank.org.
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.
