Putting Ike in the Corner

The line of cars snaking out from the Capital Area Food Bank's parking lot this afternoon measured nearly a mile, as Ike refugees stuck in Central Texas continued to seek help feeding their families. Volunteers here have distributed approximately 2,500 emergency packages of food and toiletries so far.

Food banks across the state are doing likewise, but these charities are finding that they can't manage alone. Thankfully, help is coming from both the private and public sector to stem this tide of need.

In the business community, Southwest Airlines promised 10,500 pounds of food today, and HEB has already sent twelve tractor-trailers of its products to the Houston area.  

Most importantly, the state of Texas has now received permission from the federal government to distribute emergency food stamps to affected families (details). These benefits should last evacuees two months, and allow families to purchase both groceries and prepared foods - which are normally forbidden under food stamps law.