More than 18,000 Fort Bend children did not go hungry in 2025. East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry (EFBHNM) made sure of that, with its efficient food pantry, its huge resale shop, and by providing financial assistance to those in crisis. Last year, the food pantry provided $2,455,291 worth of supplemental groceries. And it’s all funded by individual donors, grants, events, and fundraisers.
 
“At EFBHNM, we serve the basic human needs of families in our community in a temporary financial crisis. We see new families each week, and it’s often not who you would expect. So many of our neighbors are affected by job loss, a change in family dynamics, and other unexpected situations that leave them in need of assistance,” says Executive Director Stacey Williams.
 
“We are an interfaith food pantry and resale shop working with local churches to cover the needs of our community,” says Development Director Megan Leonhardt. “Getting groceries here can save a family money to use for other essential items. It can free up their funds to pay a utility or medical bill.”
 
EFBHNM’s biggest fundraiser of the year is Fort Bend Empty Bowls, being held this year on June 12th at the Houston Marriott Sugar Land. Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort by artists and craftspeople in cities and towns across the country to feed the hungry in their communities.
 
With last year’s earnings and the help of 29,057 volunteer hours, EFBHNM was able to:
•Provide relief to 9,090 families
•Prevent food insecurity for 21,851 adults and 18,326 kids
•Gift 524 families with holiday baskets
•Distribute 7,400 Kid Sacks
•Ensure 427 children got to celebrate their birthdays
 
This year’s Fort Bend Empty Bowls Title Sponsor is Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Now in its 17th year, the dinner provided at Fort Bend Empty Bowls includes a simple, but delicious, meal of appetizers, salad, bread, and various soups provided by 10 local restaurants. And don’t leave early – you’ll miss the tasty late-night snack as you walk out the door.
 
“In 2025, the event raised more than $307,000,” says Megan. “Last year, 680 guests enjoyed soup provided by nine Fort Bend County restaurants. This year, we are anticipating 700 guests will attend who will get to sample soups from Fort Bend restaurants. Our goal is to raise $350,000 this year to support our mission.”
 
Guests can contribute to the goal by purchasing beautiful, one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls painted by generous community members, buying something at the spirits and wine pull, participating in the dessert auction, bidding on exciting silent auction items, and raising their voices to purchase extravagant live auction items.
 
“You never know who may be experiencing a financial crisis or food insecurity. It could be your next door neighbor, a family at church, your child’s grade-school friend,” Megan says. “We help our neighbors in need, when they need it. Since 1990, we’ve awarded more than $3 million in financial assistance.”
 
EFBHNM has been helping its Fort Bend neighbors for more than 35 years. Join them by purchasing Fort Bend Empty Bowls tickets, available at www.humanneeds.org/empty-bowls. Various sponsorships are still available.
 
East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, Inc.
281-261-1006
435 Stafford Run
Stafford, Texas 77477
www.humanneeds.org