Northwest Assistance Ministries Hosted its First Mobile Food Pantry

People lining up to receive free fresh fruits, vegetables and milk during Northwest Assistance Ministries Mobile Food Pantry

(Houston, May 16, 2017). Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) hosted its first-ever Mobile Food Pantry.

The food distribution was held at NAM’s Joanne Watford Nutrition Center on April 29, 2017. The Mobile Food Pantry handed out more than 9,000 pounds of food purchased from the Houston Food Bank to 245 low-income families from the greater Houston area. The free distribution of fresh fruits, vegetables and milk was conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“We are so excited this event was so successful,” explained Kerima Pizzaro, Supervisor at the Joanne Watford Nutrition Center. “Having 245 people really shows the need we have in our community for fresh produce and milk and we are glad we were able to provide that for them. We want to promote better nutrition and motivate people to eat better and make healthier choices for themselves and for their families.”

Along with distributing free food, representatives from NAM’s Children Clinic, Family Violence Center and NAM Resale Store were on site to provide information about NAM’s programs and services.

Special thanks to Dr. Abrol from the American Lung Association for being a part of the event and providing information and education to clients.

The next Mobile Food Pantry will be held at NAM on Saturday, August 5, 2017. More than 200 people are expected to attend on a first come first serve basis. No registration is required to receive food at the event. NAM’s Back to School supply distribution will also take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the same day. Parents registered to pick up Back to School supplies are encouraged to stop by the Mobile Food Pantry, should they need assistance with fresh produce and milk.

The Joanne Watford Center provided groceries for well-balanced fresh, frozen and non-perishable meals to 18,765 people during NAM’s 2015-2016 fiscal year. The Nutrition Center enables qualifying clients to shop for and select food items based on the family’s nutritional needs. As part of the Senior Food Program, 125 low income seniors received supplemental groceries monthly. More than 1,000 families were provided holiday meals last year.

Northwest Assistance Ministries is a non-profit, community-based social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM provides assistance in areas such as food, shelter, health, education and domestic violence awareness and intervention. In the last fiscal year, NAM touched the lives of more than 114,000 people through its many programs and services.

For more information, please visit www.namonline.org or call (281) 885-4555.