Over 101,800 Austin residents received food aid and health services from APH in 2025 amid rising food insecurity. The city’s response included 4,700 November clients.
APH’s Role and Response
Austin Public Health (APH) manages a wide array of social services, including food, housing, and healthcare. Neighborhood Services Unit Program Manager Angel Zambrano highlighted the growing need for food assistance, saying, “I think food insecurity is a real thing and it’s affecting a lot of people in Austin and Travis County.” She added that the cost of living pushes many into a crisis that requires supplemental food help.
Zambrano explained that APH stepped in quickly when the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP) benefits were disrupted during the longest federal government shutdown in history. “We started seeing people pretty quickly,” he said. “There was a huge impact. Basically, in the four counties around the city of Austin: Williamson, Travis, Hays, and Bastrop, almost 150,000 people receive SNAP benefits. We stepped in and helped as many people as possible.”
APH provides services year-round, funded by city and federal grants, according to Zambrano. “We are here to help anyone. They just have to call or show up,” he explained. If APH cannot meet a specific need, the agency partners with community resources. “We’re very proud that we’re able to help people and if we can’t help them, we can do a warm handoff to an agency that can. It’s very high touch,” Zambrano said. “We don’t turn anyone away with just a phone number.”
Impact During SNAP Disruption
In November alone, APH assisted nearly 4,700 people in about 2,000 households. The spike in need coincided with the interruption of SNAP benefits, prompting APH to mobilize across Williamson, Travis, Hays, and Bastrop counties where roughly 150,000 residents rely on SNAP.
Community Resources and Future Plans
Residents seeking assistance can visit one of seven neighborhood centers city-wide. Two centers-Rosewood-Zaragosa and South Austin-will reopen in 2026.
- Dove Springs Neighborhood Center – 5811 Palo Blanco Lane, Austin, TX 78744 (Phone: 512-972-6699)
- Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center – 2800 Webberville Road, Austin, TX 78702 (Phone: 512-972-6740)
- South Austin Neighborhood Center – 2508 Durwood Street, Austin, TX 78704 (Phone: 512-972-6840)
- St. John Community Center – 7500 Blessing Avenue, Austin, TX 78752 (Phone: 512-972-5159)
- East Austin Neighborhood Center – 211 Comal Street, Austin, TX 78702 (Phone: 512-972-6650)
- Montopolis Community Center – 1200 Montopolis Drive, Austin, TX 78741 (Phone: 512-972-6705)
- Blackland Neighborhood Center – 2005 Salina Street, Austin, TX 78722 (Phone: 512-972-5790)
To find a list of upcoming food distribution events in January, click here.
Key Takeaways
- APH assisted more than 101,800 residents with food aid and health services in 2025.
- The department’s response to a SNAP benefit disruption helped 4,700 people in November alone.
- Seven neighborhood centers, with two reopening in 2026, provide year-round assistance.
APh’s comprehensive approach-combining direct aid, community partnerships, and a high-touch outreach model-demonstrates the city’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting residents in need.
