Hope for the Cities works with Community ISD to help families experiencing food insecurity.  Courtesy Hope for the Cities

Thousands of residents in eastern Collin County face food insecurity, according to new data from the North Texas Food Bank, with an estimated 4,220 people in Princeton, 1,330 in Nevada and 680 in Lavon struggling to consistently access enough food.

The figures represent 12.4% of residents in Princeton’s ZIP-code area, 12.5% in Nevada’s and 9.7% in Lavon’s, according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2026 report.

The local estimates come as NTFB raises concerns about hunger across its 12-county service area, where approximately 796,480 people, including 291,310 children, experience food insecurity. Nearly one in four children in the region faces food insecurity.

The organization recently brought together nearly 20 mayors, city leaders and community partners to discuss the growing need and potential effects of changes to federal nutrition assistance programs.

While food insecurity affects families throughout the region, schools and nonprofit organizations are playing an important role in helping meet the need in smaller communities.

In Nevada, where NTFB estimates 1,330 residents face food insecurity, the organization distributed 8,771 pounds of food, equivalent to 7,309 meals, during its 2026 fiscal year, which ended June 30.

All of the reported meal distribution was through children’s programs, with Community ISD’s McClendon Elementary and Community High School identified as NTFB feeding partners.

In neighboring Lavon, NTFB distributed 10,361 pounds of food, equivalent to 8,634 meals, during the same period. Nearly all of the distribution was through children’s programs at NeSmith Elementary, Dodson Elementary and Community Trails Middle School.

Hope for the Cities Executive Director Jon Bailey said his organization works with Community ISD to help families experiencing food insecurity.

The nonprofit delivers food boxes weekly to district families and partners with NTFB to provide the Food 4 Kidz program. It also supplies snacks that school counselors can give to students who arrive at school hungry.

Community ISD has also launched a monthly drive-through food pantry at Dodson Elementary, using food supplied by NTFB. Approximately 50 families were served Wednesday, Oct. 21, Bailey said.

Bailey, who helped with the distribution, said NTFB and Hope for the Cities are the only organizations currently providing food assistance through the district.

In Princeton, where the estimated food insecurity rate is 12.4%, NTFB distributed 22,532 pounds of food, equivalent to 18,777 meals, through nine active partners during FY26.

Your Community Food Pantry accounted for the largest share, distributing 14,264 pounds of food, equivalent to 11,887 meals.

Several Princeton ISD campuses also participate in NTFB food assistance programs, including Mary Mayfield Elementary, Green Elementary, Smith Elementary and the Canup Early Childhood Center.

The food bank reported 6,877 meals distributed through children’s programs in the Princeton area during FY26.

Although comparable NTFB figures were not available for Farmersville, local organizations continue to provide food assistance to residents facing financial hardship.

Farmersville Outreach Alliance operates a food pantry at First United Methodist Church, 206 N. Main St., on the first and third Mondays of each month. City on a Hill Ministries, a partnership involving area churches, also provides food and other assistance to families in need.

“We distribute twice a month and the number of clients coming for food varies quite a bit,” said Judy Brandon, FOA coordinator. “I would say our average number each time is between 45 to 55 families.”

Across Collin County, NTFB estimates approximately 149,550 people, or 12.9% of residents, experience food insecurity. The county’s annual meal gap is estimated at more than 28 million meals.

The growing need comes amid changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, including an annual cost-of-living adjustment that took effect Oct. 1.

Under the adjustment, the maximum monthly benefit for a single person increased from $298 to $306, while the maximum for a family of four rose from $994 to $1,023 — an increase of $29 per month.

NTFB and its community partners are encouraging residents to support local food pantries and assistance programs as the holiday season approaches.

Residents seeking help with SNAP applications or benefits can contact NTFB’s benefits navigators at 214-269-0906 or visit ntfb.org/snap.

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