Montgomery County nonprofits helped with Beryl recovery. Here’s how to help them restock

As Montgomery County continues to recover from Hurricane Beryl in July, nonprofits are assessing the number of residents assisted in the aftermath of the storm and preparing for the next disaster.

Beryl made landfall near Sargent, Texas on the morning of July 8 then continued across southeast Texas and Montgomery County. Tree damage and power outages were widespread in the county for days after the storm. 

Here’s how several Montgomery County nonprofits served the area during and after the storm:

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Montgomery County Food Bank 

According to information from the Montgomery County Food Bank, in the two weeks following Beryl the food bank served an additional 28,886 client contacts impacted by the storm through its network of more than 80 partner agencies and community partnerships. On average, the agency provides food assistance to approximately 22,500 client contacts per week.

The total number of client contacts served was 73,886 in the two weeks following the storm. For comparison, the food bank served around 80,000 client contacts per month in 2023.

The food bank’s efforts included hosting 13 emergency food and water distributions and supporting 30 additional distributions across the county. 

In total, the group distributed 770,181 pounds of food and water. The food bank also distributed more than 100,000 bottles of water, and through its partnership with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, provided an additional 150,000 bottles.

The group’s most urgent post-Beryl need is financial support as recovery efforts continue. Donations help the food bank acquire and distribute food and water. A list of most-needed food items donations can be found on an Amazon wish list for the food bank. 

Visit the food bank’s website to find a food pantry or mobile distribution. 

Interfaith of The Woodlands 

Interfaith hosted a drive-thru food and water distribution for the community in the Interfaith parking lot in The Woodlands July 12. The nonprofit served 181 families and nearly 700 individuals.

A donation of water from Kroger served 190 homebound seniors. Interfaith continues to assess community need and focus on services on disaster assistance for families and seniors impacted. Residents affected can call 281-367-1230 for more information or to make an appointment for assistance.   

The group’s greatest need is food donations and monetary contributions to buy food, water and provide shelter for displaced residents at nearby motels. Financial assistance will be used to provide rent, mortgage and utility assistance.

Non-perishable food items can be donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry at 4242 Interfaith Way in The Woodlands during regular business hours. Monetary donations can also be made online by visiting the Interfaith website. 

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Salvation Army of Montgomery County 

Preparations began for Beryl while new Salvation Army of Montgomery County commanding officers Lt. Cody Johns and Lt. Amanda Johns were still settling in. They came from the Irving, Texas Salvation Army unit and their first official day in Conroe was June 24. 

Amanda Johns said their Center of Hope never lost power and they were able to continue and expand shelter operations there. They began to see an increase in people coming to the shelter Tuesday following the storm and experienced a 15-to-20 percent increase in occupancy. Mid-week they experienced a 30-percent increase until later in the week. 

At the central Salvation Army warehouse in Houston, more than 97,000 meals were cooked. Cody Johns would drive to the Houston warehouse and pick up a large amount of meals and bring them back to distribute in Montgomery County. 

They also worked closely with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Red Cross to distribute meals locally.

For Montgomery County, they served 8,723 meals, 1,893 drinks, 433 snacks, 120 food boxes, 252 cases of water and offered emotional and spiritual support to 591 individuals. 

To prepare for the next event they are seeking shelf-stable items like canned goods and canned meats. Donations may be dropped off at 304 Avenue E in Conroe. For more about the local group call 936-760-2440 or visit the Facebook page. 

Community Assistance Center 

Jennifer Huffine, president and CEO of Community Assistance Center, said in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Community Assistance Center has been at the forefront of relief efforts, extending vital support to those affected in the community.  

“So far, we have assisted 208 families, encompassing 612 individuals, by providing essential services to help them recover from the storm’s impact. This is an ongoing effort as we still have many neighbors who are continuing to seek assistance,” she said. 

Support included the distribution of food, gas cards and gift cards to address the immediate needs of those who lost wages or essential household items like food and linens. They have also facilitated emergency shelter accommodations in local hotels and provided rental and utility assistance to help stabilize families as they try to recover. 

The group’s back-to-school event in East County expanded to include a food distribution component where an additional 255 families were helped. 

Those still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, and reside in Montgomery County, are encouraged to contact their appointment line at 936-539-9211, available from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays or by emailing info@cac-mctx.org with the subject line “Hurricane Beryl.” 

This group also continues to seek food donations and monetary contributions to assist its efforts. 

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