Feed The Friends Food Initiative/ mental health Services

Program Overview

Feed The Friends (FTF) is a solution-based outreach program under Building Up The Community (BUTC), designed to support low-income and unhoused individuals and families by addressing immediate food insecurity while equipping them with the skills and resources to become more self-sufficient. While the program initially focused on feeding the unhoused around the city, we have restructured it to serve families more sustainably by combining food assistance with financial literacy, education, workforce readiness, and wellness support.

According to recent data, over 20% of households in Harris County experience food insecurity, and the poverty rate in Houston remains above 18%. The 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines list $31,200 as the poverty threshold for a family of four. Many families below this threshold struggle not only with food access but also with managing household finances and accessing long-term support. FTF aims to meet these needs with a hands-on, wraparound approach.

FTF seeks to meet the growing need for consistent access to food, hygiene supplies, and household essentials for low-income families while reducing their long-term dependency on food banks and donation programs. We also address the lack of education around budgeting, meal planning, and financial wellness, which are key to lasting self-sufficiency. Many of the families we serve are also disconnected from employment, education, and health support resources, all of which we aim to reintroduce through our program.

FTF will invite low-income families and individuals to apply for the program through our website or partner agencies. Selected participants must attend a one-day (4–6 hour) session either in person or virtually. The session includes:

- A financial literacy workshop

- Workforce development and job leads

- Education resources (GED, college readiness)

- Grocery budgeting and meal planning

- Couponing and store-saving tips

- Using store apps and stretching meals

After completion, families will be given a custom grocery budget based on their household size. They’ll either be taken grocery shopping or receive a grocery drop-off. Our goal is to teach participants how to eat well on a budget and stretch their resources while we also provide immediate relief.

We also have a community pantry stocked with nonperishable food, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, hygiene products, and diapers available to the families. Hot meals will still be served to unhoused individuals as a part of FTF events held several times a year.

**Investors, sponsors and grantors that would like a detail program description that includes our budget please email info@buildingupthecommunity.org