Target Hunger  was founded in 1989 as a grassroots, community based program to fight the increasing hunger problem in Houston’s inner city neighborhoods. The United Way, along with community leaders, joined together to form the Select Committee on Hunger. They focused their attention on the area of town where the needs of the hungry were not being met, and Target Hunger was formed. The service area was initially limited to the greater Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas: over the years it has gradually expanded to include Houston’s northeast/east region. Target Hunger has worked tirelessly and strategically to expand our capacity to support families trapped in poverty and facing chronic food insecurity. Our Food Assistance and Navigation Programs help low-income families address both the immediate need for food, and the longer-term process of breaking the cycle of poverty that causes chronic hunger. In 2023, Target Hunger distributed food to over 21,500 individuals representing nearly 8,400 households.

At our founding, the primary issue of concern in the neighborhood was the lack of access to affordable, nutritious food—that need has never gone away. We maintain a focus on feeding all who are hungry. Food Assistance is provided through several channels including: Choice Food Pantries, Pop-Up Distributions, a Mobile Shopping Pantry, Home Delivery for home-bound seniors and people with disabilities, Food Fairs that provide thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, and Summer Food Programs to help children whose families rely on the school lunch program during the academic year.

What has changed since our early years is our strategic focus on root cause initiatives and income stabilizing programs for those seeking to build their skills, broaden their connections, and improve their life prospects. Target Hunger’s Navigation Program offers comprehensive, personalized support and resources designed to help clients overcome poverty. A dedicated team of bilingual Texas-State-Certified Community Health Workers connect clients to the help they need: enrollment in rental, utility, and federal meal programs; access to healthcare and enrollment in insurance programs; or referrals to a wide network of Houston non-profits that can help individuals gain stability. Navigators also connect clients to job training programs with well-respected partners, which provide critical work experience and skills-building that can lead to increased wages and better long-term career prospects.

Through it all, we stay prepared to respond in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters and throughout the arduous recovery process. When storms hit, we also serve those who might not otherwise need our help but who, given the unexpected costs of home repairs, replacing food and medicine lost during power outages, and lost wages from work closure, find themselves with an acute need for fresh food and water.