During the North Texas government shutdown, many single-parent families face critical food insecurity as key federal aid halts. Food banks and pantries across the region have mobilized to provide groceries and meals, operating special distributions and extending hours. Food assistance is crucial during these times to ensure no family goes hungry. Below is a guide for finding food, including direct links, addresses, dates, times, and contact information for major organizations providing free food in North Texas.  We have tried to quickly populate this information and ask for your understanding in case any needs to get updated as things unfold.

Finding Food

Emergency Food Assistance Overview

With SNAP benefits paused as of November 1, 2025, families are turning to local food banks and pantries for essential support. The need is especially urgent for single parents with young children, many of whom have lost federal assistance overnight. Food banks like the North Texas Food Bank and Tarrant Area Food Bank have enacted expanded distributions, partnerships with Catholic Charities, and walk-in food pantries organized by Dallas College for federal workers and families near airports.​

North Texas Food Bank (NTFB)

  • Main Campus (Plano)
    • Address: 3677 Mapleshade Lane, Plano, TX 75075
    • Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
    • Phone: 214-330-1396
    • Website: NTFB Food Assistance
    • Find local agencies: NTFB Agency Finder
    • SNAP Assistance: 214-269-0906
    • Mobile App available for pantry locations.

Upcoming Distributions

Date Location Address Time Details / Contact
Wed, Oct 29, 2025 Dallas College Richland Campus 12800 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 10 a.m. Drive-thru, first-come/served
Fri, ongoing Dallas College Brookhaven Campus 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Walk-in pantry​
Fri, ongoing Dallas College West Dallas Center 3330 N. Hampton Rd, Dallas, TX 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Walk-in pantry
Fri, ongoing Dallas College North Lake Campus 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Walk-in pantry

Food assistance is available to all families affected by the shutdown—no ID or pre-registration required. Arrive early, bring a vehicle for drive-thru events. Check the website/app for the latest information or updates due to weather or supply changes.​

 Catholic Charities Dallas

  • Main Food Pantry
    • Address: 1421 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247
    • Phone: 866-223-7500
    • Hours: Six days a week at 115 sites in nine counties.
    • Pantry schedule and mobile locations updated daily.
    • Facebook: October Mobile Schedule
  • No income documentation required — just self-declaration of need.​

Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB)

  • TAFB North Satellite (Denton)
    • Address: 306 N. Loop 288, Suite 113, Denton, TX 76209
    • Contact: Karl Woodill (Regional Director) — karl.woodill@tafb.org
    • General Phone: 1-866-430-6143
    • Website: TAFB North
    • Find local pantries: TAFB Food Map
    • Mobile distribution: Times and locations update weekly.​

Dallas County Emergency Pantries

Organization Address Phone Notes
Dallas Life Foundation 1100 Cadiz St., Dallas, TX — Shelter, pantry​
The Bridge Homeless Recovery 1818 Corsicana St., Dallas 214-670-1507 Homeless, pantry
Austin Street Center 2929 Hickory St., Dallas — Shelter, pantry
Mission Oak Cliff 111 S. Beckley Ave., Dallas — Community pantry
Salvation Army Food Center 5302 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas 214-424-7000 Distribution center

For more Dallas County pantries, see local pantries via NTFB Finder or call 2-1-1, option 1, for direct assistance.​

Denton County Emergency Pantries

Organization Address Phone
Argyle Food Bank 414 Highway 377 S, Argyle 940-464-7224
Denton Wesley Foundation 1155 Union Circle, Box 311585 940-382-3813
First Refuge Denton 1701 Broadway St., Denton 940-484-4384
Chuck Box Food Pantry 400 Robinson Rd, Ponder 817-602-4201

Full county list and schedules at KERA North Texas Food Banks.​

 Special Support and Resources

  • SNAP Assistance: Call 214-269-0906 or visit NTFB SNAP Help.​
  • 2-1-1 Texas Helpline: Dial 2-1-1, press option 1 for food assistance in any North Texas county.​
  • Feeding America Local Bank Finder: Find by ZIP.​
  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Monthly boxes for seniors, apply via NTFB.​
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Help food banks serve more families — sign up via NTFB Volunteer.​

What to Bring and Expect

  • No registration or documentation required, but provide family size and zip code.​
  • Arrive early for the best selection, especially at mobile or drive-thru events.
  • Bring a vehicle for drive-thru pickups, and walk-in pantries are available at specific Dallas College sites.
  • Check websites or call ahead as hours and sites may change due to supply, weather, or demand spikes.​
  • Volunteers, donations, and monetary gifts are urgently needed.

For the most up-to-date schedules, always check the organizations’ official sites and social media. Food banks and partners update hours and distribution points as circumstances change throughout the government shutdown.​

If you are a single parent experiencing food insecurity, you are not alone—North Texas’s community network is working tirelessly to keep families fed.