Local Food Pantries or Food Help

Nov 6, 2025
6 min read

💛 RGV Unites 💛

With the government shutdown affecting so many families, we’re all in this together. 🫶

I’ll be sharing local spots offering free meals, food pantries, and ways to donate or help others across the 956. 🍽️

Whether you need support or want to give back our community always shows up for each other. 💪

Tacos El Plebe (Donations)

STARTING Thursday November 13th to Sunday November 16th from 12pm to 6pm | McAllen Location only

For every 5 products that you bring, Tacos El Plebe in McAllen will give you 1 of their classic tacos for free!

I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while and what a more perfect time cause it’s been a rough out there with people losing benefits and all. If you are not able to donate SHARING GOES A LONG WAY! I love you guys and thank you for your continued support

5 items = 1 Taco!

What to donate?

• Shelf-stable milk

• Nutritious breakfast bars

Baby formula

• Baby food (jars or pouches)

• Canned soups & stews

• Canned chili

• Pasta

• Instant noodles

• Lentils

• Oats / oatmeal packets

• Dry beans

• Boxed macaroni & cheese

• Instant mashed potatoes

• Cereal

• Granola

• Pancake mix

• Gluten-free pasta or crackers

• Low-sodium canned goods

• Sugar-free items

• Plant-based protein (like shelf-stable tofu or beans)

Gnarly Gaming (Free Food)

Good Evening, Fellow Gnarly Customers,

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, many essential services

—including SNAP and EBT—have been temporarily affected.

During times like these, when everyone already has so much on their minds, no one should have to worry about their next meal.

To support our community, on Friday, November 7th, 2025, from 5:30 pm-10 pm, Gnarly Arcade will be offering free hot dogs, chips, and a drink, along with free arcade entry to help relieve stress and spread some fun.

Show your SNAP or EBT card to receive your complimentary meal.

We look forward to seeing you soon and sharing some positivity during this challenging time.

-Gnarly Family

Food Bank RGV

The Food Bank RGV is here to help!

We understand that the current SNAP benefit delays are putting extra strain on many families across the Valley. That’s why we’re working closely with our community partner agencies to provide food, resources, and support to neighbors in need throughout Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties.

If you are in need of emergency food assistance, please call us at 956-904-4499, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., so we can refer you to a partner pantry near you.

HEB Feast of Sharing

Join H-E-B for the 35th annual Feast of Sharing McAllen Holiday dinner on Sunday, 11/9 at McAllen Convention Center!

At H-E-B, the holiday season is a time to give thanks to our customers, and to bring family, friends and neighbors together for what’s become a beloved annual tradition – the H-E-B Feast of Sharing.

In addition to a free, holiday meal, Feast of Sharing guests will also enjoy live music, arts and crafts, children’s activities and entertainment for the whole family throughout the day.

The dinner is free and the memories are forever.

MPL Food for Fines

We’re thrilled to announce that the McAllen Public Library (MPL) has officially kicked off its annual “Food for Fines” Food Drive in support of our holiday hunger relief efforts!

Now through Sunday, Dec. 7, you can help make a difference and clear your overdue library fines by donating canned goods at any MPL location! For every food item you donate, $3 will be waived from your existing library fines.

No fines? You’re still invited to donate cans and support the fight against hunger this holiday season.

All donated food will go directly to the Food Bank RGV as we work to increase food assistance across our community, ensuring that thousands of families and neighbors can enjoy a warm, hunger-free holiday season.

Snowbite

❄️ Snowbite is giving back! ❄️If you or someone you know could use a warm meal, stop by Snowbite — they’re offering free hot meals that have been paid in advance by kind customers. 🫶Just visit the Meal Board inside the restaurant, pick a meal ticket, and enjoy one meal on them. 💙

Let’s continue to support and uplift each other, RGV every little act of kindness matters. 🤍

Jade Candle Co.

although we are still very much struggling during this season - you all were here for us near rent day, so we want to remind you all - we are here for you too.

we know this doesn’t undo the financial burdens many are facing today, but we hope some of these everyday essentials can help.

we encourage everybody to find ways to help our neighbors during this unfortunate time. especially those that are no longer receiving assistance, + are not being paid during this shutdown.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31

+ this goes for absolutely everybody that was born in our country, or came here later in life. because every person seeking better for themselves or their family is a good human in my book. we are here for EVERYBODY.

Loaves & Fishes

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Us!

Join us at Loaves & Fishes for a warm and welcoming Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bread of Life Dining Hall. Enjoy a delicious meal and the joy of community friendship!

Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Time: 3 PM – 5 PM

Location: 514 South E St., Harlingen, TX

This is a FREE Community Thanksgiving Meal, made possible by the generous support of Baitulmaal.

Bring your family and friends—everyone is welcome!

Calacas Tacos & Beer

Our kitchen is open to serve, share and accompany our community

Find us here:

3340 Pablo Kisel Blvd Suite C-201, Brownsville

956.518.7800

1024 E Adams St, Downtown Brownsville

956.676.0321

700 Amelia Earhart Dr, Brownsville Airport

6710 W Expressway 83 Unit A-111, Harlingen, TX,

956.496.2816

500 W Business 77 Suite 203 San Benito TX 78586,

956.626.3372

2101 N Cage Blvd Suite 110 & 111, Pharr

956.475.3708

410 Padre Blvd South Padre Island, Tx 78597

956.433.5001

PSJA Free Lunch & Snacks

PHARR - Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) is providing free breakfast and lunch starting Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 for children ages 3 to 18.

This initiative prioritizes academic engagement and support for students who may need additional assistance, while also providing children and families access to nutritious meals.

Schedule:

Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m

Participating Sites: SOUTH PHARR

Carmen Anaya Elementary — 1000 W. Dicker Rd., Pharr, TX 78577
Jaime Escalante Middle School — 6123 S. Cage, Pharr, TX 78577

NORTH PHARR

William C. Arnold Elementary — 615 W. Eldora Rd., Pharr, TX 78577
Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Middle School — 500 E. Sioux Rd., Pharr, TX 78577

SAN JUAN

Arnoldo Cantu, Sr. Elementary — 2900 N. Raul Longoria Rd., San Juan, TX 78589
Carman Elementary – 100 W. Ridge Rd., San Juan, Texas

ALAMO

Audie Murphy Middle School — 924 W. Sioux Rd., Alamo, TX 78516.
Jesus “Jesse” Vela, Jr. Middle School — 1819 W. Highway 83, Alamo, TX 78516

Build a Prep

In response to the SNAP (EBT) benefits disruption, BUILD A PREP is providing free dinners to families requiring assistance. Beginning November 1st, please visit us and ask for a ‘FAMILY MEAL.’ We will offer one meal per person, every Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4-6pm, with no purchase necessary, until SNAP benefits are reinstated in Texas. All you have to do is show your snap card.

We are STRONGLY dedicated to supporting our community for as long as possible. Although we cannot address all global challenges, we can offer a meal.

Make a Pledge

If you’d like to help us feed our community, feel free to purchase as many $5 DONATION MEALS as you’d like to contribute- even if it’s just one! Inbox us with any questions or to help! Anonymous donors can make a purchase online here: https://buildaprep.fit/place.../ols/products/5-donate-a-meal

Spread the word: share: Tag.

The situation is Complicated, feeding a family in NEED IS NOT!

Please verify store location hours before heading over.