Food help for Texas immigrant families

What food assistance is available to Texas immigrant families regardless of status — pantries, WIC, school meals, and what is safe to use.

Every family in Texas deserves to eat, and many food programs are open regardless of immigration status. Here is what is safe to use and where to start.

Open to everyone, no status questions

• Food pantries and soup kitchens — community pantries do not ask about immigration status. Most ask only your name and household size. Find one near you.
• WIC — open to eligible moms and young children regardless of status, and it is not considered in public-charge decisions.
• School meals and summer meal sites — every child can eat, period.

SNAP and mixed-status households

Parents without status can apply for SNAP on behalf of their U.S.-citizen children. Only the children receive benefits, and the application asks for status information only for the people receiving benefits — not for the parents applying for them.

Language access

Texas HHSC, 211 Texas, and most large pantries offer Spanish-language service. Our directory and core pages are available en español.