Building a Hunger-Free Waco: How Collaboration—and Your Support—are Increasing Local Food Access

As the cost of living rises and recent federal cuts to SNAP and other nutrition programs take effect, more Waco families are struggling to keep food on the table. Local food pantries are seeing greater demand than ever—even as grocery donations have decreased due to reduced inventory.

In response, Prosper Waco’s Hunger-Free Community Coalition is helping lead a coordinated effort to strengthen food access through collaboration, alignment, and strategic investment. The Coalition’s mission is clear: ensure every resident has equitable access to healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.

Its work centers on two primary strategies:

1. Strengthening cross-sector collaboration, bringing together hospitals, schools, city and county leaders, nonprofits, and food distribution partners; and

2. Leveraging federal funding to close longstanding gaps and expand local capacity.

By aligning partners around shared goals, the Coalition helps reduce duplication, streamline distribution, and get food where it is needed most.