The 2025 Guide: 7 Essential Services And Updates At The Trinity River Community Resource Center
The Trinity River Community Resource Center (TRCRC) continues to be a critical lifeline for thousands of families across Southeast Texas, with its mission evolving and expanding dramatically as of late 2025. This vital resource hub, an initiative of the Houston Food Bank (HFB), is not just a food pantry; it is a comprehensive center dedicated to tackling food insecurity and connecting neighbors to holistic support services.
Operating in the heart of the Trinity River basin, the TRCRC has cemented its role in providing free, nutritious food and crucial social service assistance to residents in Liberty, Trinity, San Jacinto, and Walker counties. The focus for December 23, 2025, remains on expanding access, particularly through its innovative neighbor-choice market model and cutting-edge assistance programs.
Leadership and Operational Profile of the Trinity River Community Resource Center
The Trinity River Community Resource Center (TRCRC) operates under the strategic oversight of the Houston Food Bank (HFB), one of the nation’s largest and most influential food distribution networks. This relationship ensures the TRCRC benefits from extensive logistical and resource support, allowing it to serve a vast, often underserved, rural area.
The leadership team driving the Houston Food Bank’s mission, and by extension the TRCRC's operational success, includes:
- Brian Greene: President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank.
- Nicole Lander: Chief Impact Officer.
- Amy Ragan: Chief Development Officer.
- Bernardo Martins: Chief Financial Officer.
- Antonio Zapata: Head of Human Resources.
This leadership ensures that the TRCRC’s programs, such as the CAP and the Food For Change initiatives, are integrated into a larger, strategic vision for fighting hunger across the 18 counties HFB serves.
TRCRC Facility and Service Area Expansion
The physical presence of the Trinity River Community Resource Center is centered around its facility at 1768 CR 3558, located in the Santa Fe community south of Plum Grove, Cleveland, TX.
This location is strategically positioned to serve the four key counties in the Trinity River basin: Liberty County, Trinity County, San Jacinto County, and Walker County. While the main Houston Food Bank facility is at 535 Portwall St., the TRCRC acts as a localized distribution and service hub, greatly reducing the travel burden for rural residents seeking assistance.
The facility itself functions as a modern, industrial-looking building that houses the neighbor-choice market, allowing for a dignified and efficient shopping experience for registered neighbors.
7 Essential Programs and Services Available in 2025
The TRCRC’s value extends far beyond basic food distribution. The center is a nexus of social services, offering a suite of programs designed to promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. These programs are continuously updated, with a May 2025 newsletter confirming their ongoing availability.
1. The FREE Neighbor-Choice Market
The core service of the TRCRC is its free, neighbor-choice market. Unlike traditional food pantries where recipients receive a pre-packed box, this model allows individuals to select their own groceries, mimicking a typical shopping experience. This ensures families receive food they prefer and can use, reducing waste and promoting dignity.
Available items typically include a wide range of nutritious options, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, frozen protein, and dried goods. [cite: 7 (from previous search)]
2. The Community Assistance Program (CAP)
The Community Assistance Program is a flagship service that connects neighbors to critical state and federal resources. [cite: 2 (from previous search), 3] TRCRC staff and volunteers are trained to help individuals navigate complex application processes for programs like:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
This service is crucial for maximizing a family's access to public benefits, moving them toward greater financial stability. [cite: 2 (from previous search)]
3. Food For Change Initiatives (Food Scholarship & Food Rx)
The TRCRC is a key access point for the Houston Food Bank’s innovative "Food For Change" programs. These initiatives are designed to address the root causes of food insecurity through targeted assistance:
- Food Scholarship: Provides food assistance to students and their families, often in partnership with local colleges and universities.
- Food Rx (Prescription): Works with healthcare partners to provide healthy food to patients whose medical conditions can be managed or improved with better nutrition.
Enrollment in these programs often grants neighbors access to additional resources at the Community Resource Center.
4. Targeted Youth and Senior Programs
The center facilitates specialized programs aimed at vulnerable populations, ensuring no demographic is left behind. These include:
- BackPack Buddy: Provides easy-to-prepare meals and snacks for children to take home on weekends when school meals are unavailable.
- Kid's Cafe: Offers nutritious meals and snacks to children in after-school settings.
- Senior Box Program: Distributes monthly boxes of food specifically tailored to the nutritional needs of low-income seniors.
5. Workforce Development and Educational Partnerships
A key component of the TRCRC's mission is to move beyond temporary relief. The center collaborates with a network of community partners, including workforce development programs and educational institutions. These partnerships provide neighbors with access to job training, career counseling, and educational resources, facilitating a pathway out of poverty.
6. Community Kitchen and Culinary Training
While often centralized at the main HFB campus, the Community Kitchen concept is an integral part of the broader resource ecosystem the TRCRC supports. These kitchens not only prepare meals but also offer culinary training, equipping individuals with valuable job skills for the food service industry.
7. Collaboration with Trinity River Entities
The TRCRC operates within a complex regional ecosystem that includes other major entities, which helps in building comprehensive topical authority and resource sharing. While distinct, organizations like the Trinity River Authority (TRA) and the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) represent the broader commitment to resource management and food security in the region, providing context for the TRCRC's local impact. [cite: 9 (from previous search), 10 (from previous search), 15]
How to Access Services and Current Operational Status
For individuals seeking assistance, the most crucial step is to call the dedicated TRCRC number (832-369-9390) for the most current information and to schedule an appointment. [cite: 2 (from previous search), 4]
As of late 2025, the center primarily operates on an appointment-based system to ensure efficient service and manage inventory. While there may be temporary halts on new appointments (such as the one noted until September 9th in recent communications), the center remains committed to serving its four-county area. [cite: 2 (from previous search)]
The Trinity River Community Resource Center is a powerful example of how a localized, comprehensive approach can successfully address the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity, providing not just sustenance but also the tools for a more stable future.
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