The following press release was provided by the South Texas Food Bank.
LAREDO, TEXAS – The South Texas Food Bank continues to expand its flood relief efforts across South Texas as families begin the long road to recovery from the devastating floods that have impacted much of the region.
Last week, the South Texas Food Bank began delivering emergency disaster food boxes to some of the first communities affected by the flooding.
This week, the organization’s Disaster Relief Team traveled throughout Maverick, Kinney and Dimmit counties, delivering critical food, clean water and essential supplies directly to families facing tremendous hardship.
To date, the South Texas Food Bank has served 6,972 neighbors across three of the hardest-hit counties.
Additional relief efforts also took place in Val Verde County, where challenging road conditions and limited access required the South Texas Food Bank to transport truckloads of food and other critical supplies to trusted local partners for distribution. Distribution totals from Val Verde County are currently being finalized and will be released once they become available.
Relief efforts will continue next week as the South Texas Food Bank works alongside community partners to reach additional families and provide support throughout the recovery process.
“While the floodwaters may begin to recede, the needs of our neighbors do not,” said Alma Boubel, chief executive officer of the South Texas Food Bank. “We are committed to standing beside our communities for as long as it takes to help families recover.”
The South Texas Food Bank extends its heartfelt appreciation to the many organizations and individuals who have answered the call to serve.
Special thanks go to H-E-B Helping Here, Feeding America, Feeding Texas, Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend Food Bank, Central Texas Food Bank, Houston Food Bank, Dixondale Farms, SM Energy, the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church, H.O.P.E. Outreach Center of Brackettville, local emergency management officials, first responders, county and city leaders, volunteers and countless community partners. Their generous donations of food, water, emergency supplies, funding, equipment and staff have strengthened relief efforts and made it possible to reach thousands of neighbors across South Texas.
“We simply could not do this alone,” Boubel said. “Every act of generosity reminds our neighbors that they are not facing this disaster by themselves.”
Although thousands of families have already received assistance, the need remains urgent, and the South Texas Food Bank is asking the community to continue supporting flood relief efforts.
How You Can Help
Donate Food
Non-perishable food donations help replenish emergency supplies and ensure families continue receiving nutritious meals throughout the recovery process.
Volunteer
Volunteers are urgently needed to inspect donations, sort food, assemble disaster relief boxes and prepare shipments for communities throughout the affected region. Sign up at southtexasfoodbank.org/volunteer.
Make a Financial Donation
Financial contributions provide the greatest flexibility to purchase food, bottled water, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and other urgently needed items while helping cover fuel and transportation costs associated with delivering relief to rural communities.
The fastest way to help is by making a secure donation through Cash App: $SouthTXFoodBank.
Donations may also be made in person at the South Texas Food Bank during regular business hours or by calling the Accounting Office at (956) 726-3120, Ext. 103.
“We know there are families returning home to damaged houses, empty refrigerators and an uncertain future,” Boubel added. “Every food donation, every volunteer and every financial gift helps us reach another neighbor who simply needs to know that someone cares. Together, we can make sure no family faces this recovery alone.”
The South Texas Food Bank will continue working closely with local emergency management officials, Feeding America, Feeding Texas, its sister food banks and community partners to provide critical food assistance throughout the recovery effort.
The South Texas Food Bank also reminds the community about its signature annual fundraising event, Laugh Out Hunger ’26, presented by H-E-B Hunger Relief, taking place Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at the Sames Auto Arena.
“We began planning Laugh Out Hunger months ago as a way to prepare for the year ahead,” Boubel said. “What we couldn’t have anticipated was a disaster of this magnitude.”
“Our response to these floods has placed extraordinary demands on our food inventory and resources,” she continued. “As we prepare to begin a new fiscal year and head into the holiday season—traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for food assistance—we’ll need our community’s support more than ever. Laugh Out Hunger is no longer just our annual fundraiser; it’s an opportunity to help replenish our shelves, strengthen our disaster readiness and ensure we’re prepared to continue serving families facing hunger in the months ahead.”
Proceeds from Laugh Out Hunger ’26 will directly support the South Texas Food Bank’s ongoing hunger relief efforts, disaster response and the replenishment of food and essential supplies needed to serve families across its eight-county service area. Those wishing to support the food bank via this event can do so by visiting southtexasfoodbank.org/laugh.
For more information about flood relief efforts, volunteer opportunities or ways to donate, please visit southtexasfoodbank.org/disaster or follow the South Texas Food Bank on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
About the South Texas Food Bank
The South Texas Food Bank serves Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Maverick, Dimmit, Kinney and Val Verde counties. Through a network of partner agencies and direct-service programs, the food bank distributes millions of pounds of food annually to individuals and families facing food insecurity across South Texas.
