“Community Care Is Community Strength”—Harris County Helps Families Put Food on the Table This Holiday Season
The holidays are a time when neighbors look out for one another—and Harris County leaned in to make sure families didn’t go without a Thanksgiving meal. Commissioner Rodney Ellis and community partners joined nonprofits, local leaders, and volunteers to help put turkeys, groceries, and holiday essentials into the hands of families and community members across Harris County. As Commissioner Ellis puts it, “Community care is community strength.” Here’s a look at some of those efforts:
- City Wide Club Of Houston’s Super Feast: Supporting families in need, Commissioner Ellis’ office contributed $25,000 in support of the City Wide Club of Houston’s Thanksgiving Super Feast at the George R. Brown Convention Center. “Thank you Bishop Woodard for welcoming us and for supporting so many in need this holiday season,” Ellis said, calling it “a joy to meet with three generations of your family and your many good-hearted team members.” The need was significant. For Houston Public Media, Sydney Jackson reported that organizers expected to serve 25,000 to 30,000 residents, driven in part by “delayed reinstatements of SNAP benefits” and “families in need” who, for the first time, found themselves seeking help.
- TexStars Foundation Turkey Giveaway: Commissioner Ellis’ team joined Senator Borris Miles and the TexStars Foundation for their 20th Annual Turkey Giveaway, a drive-up event serving families across the county, that distributed more than 1,800 turkeys this year. “We’re committed to showing up for our community and meeting families where they are,” Ellis said. Senator Miles noted that this year’s need was especially urgent, given “SNAP delays and federal worker furloughs due to the government shutdown.” He emphasized the power of community partnership: “When we show up for each other, we rise together.”
- Turkey And Grocery Giveaway: In collaboration with One for All and Constable Precinct 7 James “Smokie” Phillips, Commissioner Ellis’ office joined a turkey and grocery giveaway focused on supporting seniors and local families. Ellis called the effort “a reminder of what real teamwork can accomplish.” Constable Phillips echoed: “We enjoyed a great partnership with ‘One for All’ and Commissioner Ellis staffers. We serviced over 200 plus seniors from the Precinct One and Seven communities.”