The Montgomery County Food Bank announced Sept. 22 that it received a grant from the United Way of Greater Houston’s Winter Studies Relief Fund, which supports area residents affected by Winter Storm Uri.

The grant is worth $116,283 and will fund the food bank’s operations. In a press release from United Way, Food Bank President Kristine Marlow expressed her thanks for the funding.

“We are so appreciative of United Way’s generosity and continued support of the food bank,” said Marlow. “The devastating effects of Winter Storm Uri and the pandemic are proving to be long-lasting, and recovery will be a marathon and not a sprint. With strong partners like United Way of Greater Houston, we can continue to fight hunger and feed hope for our many children, families and seniors in need.”

Marlow sat down with Community Impact Newspaper to further discuss how the winter storm and the COVID-19 pandemic affected food bank operations. She said the National Guard had been required to help the bank’s staffing in the past year.

“[The ice storm] was an unexpected disaster, and of course most everybody was impacted some way or another,” Marlow said.

Marlow said that during fiscal year 2020-21, the Montgomery County Food Bank distributed 11 million meals and served an average of 65,000 individuals.