“We have amazing volunteers at East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry (EFBHNM) – they are the lifeblood of what we do,” says EFBHNM Board Member and Treasurer Megan Harraman, a volunteer herself. “There is a lot to do, and it’s not glamorous, but it needs to be done to help our clients experiencing food insecurity in our community. As they say, it takes a village.”
 
Megan and her husband Brent, also on the board, settled in Sugar Land in 1997, raising their two now-grown children here. “I was a regular volunteer for around four years before becoming the treasurer over two years ago,” Megan says. “Stacey (Williams, director of development) is just amazing – we couldn’t do anything without her creativity and commitment to the community. Everyone is just great! Brent and I have enjoyed every minute of our time as volunteers.”
 
In 2023, EFBHNM assisted 18,748 adults and 16,841 children experiencing food insecurity in the community. “Our clients come weekly for pantry items and fresh fruits and veggies. Some of our ministry churches have community gardens that they donate to the pantry. It’s a treat to offer our clients fresh food,” she continues. “The amount of need in our community has increased substantially over the last year. We distributed over $2 million in food last year. As food prices continue increasing, it not only affects our clients’ level of need, but also EFBHNM itself, because we purchase items like dairy and eggs, and sometimes supplement the pantry shelves when there isn’t enough food to go around.”
 
Juggling her day job as a Sugar Land-based interior designer with her volunteer duties, Megan has learned the art of time blocking. “Being treasurer, there are set financial deadlines,” she admits, “but most of it can be done from my home. Some months are busier than others.”
 
Empty Bowl is the organization’s annual fundraiser, set for June 14th in Sugar Land. “Restaurants provide bread, soup, and desserts to highlight the hunger in our community,” Megan says. “We auction off pottery bowls made by local artists, have a live auction, a wine and whiskey pull, and the most amazing band ever. You don’t want to miss it. It’s just a lot of fun.”
 
Purchase Empty Bowls tickets and learn more about Empty Bowls sponsorship opportunities by visiting www.humanneeds.org/empty-bowls.
 
East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, Inc.
281-261-1006
435 Stafford Run
Stafford, Texas 77477
www.humanneeds.org