The Joanne Watford Nutrition Center (JWNC) is a choice food pantry that operates much like a grocery store. Clients choose their own food from designated categories, including fresh produce, meat, dairy and frozen items. Through the Senior Food Program, low-income seniors also receive supplemental groceries each month.
For food assistance, please call our Assistance Appointment Line at (281) 583-5600 to schedule an interview. An interview is essential to determine your family’s needs and which resources can best address those needs. Please note the appointment line is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The line will be open during these times unless all available appointments have been filled; appointments are scheduled for the next day.
Each month, the JWNC feeds an average of 1,000 people. Your support ensures that the nutrition center remains well-stocked, and that no one is turned away hungry. The JWNC gratefully receives monetary and in-kind donations from congregations, businesses, schools, community groups and individuals. Local grocery stores including Kroger, Walmart and Aldi help make sure fresh food doesn’t go to waste, while significantly boosting the supply available to those in need. Additional food comes from the Houston Food Bank as well as food drives conducted by local organizations and businesses.
If you would like to donate food, donations may be delivered to the JWNC between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. The JWNC is located on the first floor of NAM’s main building at 15555 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston, TX 77090. Look for the door marked “Food Deliveries Here” at the rear of the building. For more information about food donations, please call (281) 885-4589.
Everyday Food Wish List*
Due to increased demand, the JWNC is in need of donations of meat. Any kind of meat will do. Must be frozen.
Produce – Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Canned Foods – Spaghetti Sauce, Vegetables, Fruit, Soup, Tuna, Pasta
Dry Goods – Rice, Dry Soup, Dry Beans, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Macaroni & Cheese, Dry Pasta, Hamburger Helper
*Please note that NAM cannot accept dented cans or expired food.
Sunseri’s Story
Like thousands of people across Houston, Sunseri’s home flooded during Hurricane Harvey. For two months following the storm she lived in a hotel provided by FEMA, along with her one-year-old son and her brother. But preparing meals in a hotel room can be a challenge.
“It’s kind of hard to keep up with food when you have to keep buying it every day,” she said. “So getting this assistance is very helpful.”
Sunseri received food from NAM’s Joanne Watford Nutrition Center. Like every guest at the choice food pantry, she was able to select groceries that would best meet her family’s needs. And everything was free of charge.
“The volunteers were very helpful, and I didn’t expect to get as much as I did,” she said. “They let you pick meat, and I love the fact that they have fresh vegetables. They also helped me with my baby—Pampers and things like that.”
In addition to food, NAM provided Sunseri with her first month’s rent to move into a new apartment, and registered her to receive holiday meals and toys at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“You all are a blessing when no one else could be,” Sunseri said. “No one else has the help you offer right now. And this is truly a blessing.”