If you’ve driven past CCSC's Emergency Services-Southwest location (6856 Bellaire Blvd., on the Gethsemane Campus of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church) and seen what looks like a small farmers’ market, you have seen a CCSC Food Fair.  

Several years ago, the Houston Food Bank was searching for ways to quickly distribute substantial amounts of produce and dairy products. They created a plan to deliver pallets of these valued items to partner agencies like CCSC. In turn, our team distributes these foods to neighbors in need. In 2023, CCSC hosted six Food Fairs with each event serving 200-300 households. This year, our goal is to increase it to nine Food Fairs.  

Located in the heart of the Sharpstown neighborhood and with a large parking lot, Emergency Services-Southwest is an ideal location for Food Fairs. The events are also a wonderful opportunity for volunteer groups to engage in service. Typically, volunteers serve for three hours on a Saturday morning by organizing and handing out groceries or helping clients complete registration forms.  

CCSC also invites partner agencies to share information about complementary services they provide which may be of value to CCSC clients.  

“The primary attraction of a food fair is certainly the food, but we also want to provide helpful information at the events,” ES-Southwest Manager Pat Weatherspoon-Hall said. “Recently, we have engaged wonderful local nonprofits including Baylor Teen Health Clinic and Memorial-Hermann Southwest Resource Center. Connecting community members to our partners creates a win-win.”   

Our next Food Fair is scheduled for the morning of May 18. To volunteer for a future Food Fair contact Volunteer Manager Keli Luce at volunteer@ccschouston.org