‘It’s the most heartbreaking thing’: the active-duty soldiers who have to visit Texas food banks
Summary
Many active-duty soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, are using food pantries to get free groceries because they cannot afford enough food. Studies show nearly half of military families nationwide face food insecurity, with lower-ranking troops most affected.Key Facts
- Fort Hood in Texas has about 40,000 soldiers stationed nearby.
- The Armed Services YMCA in Harker Heights provides free groceries to soldiers.
- Miguel Pérez, an army sergeant, visits the pantry twice a month to save about $200 on food.
- Military pay includes base pay, housing, and food allowances, but many soldiers still struggle financially.
- Nearly 50% of active-duty military families experienced food insecurity in 2025, more than double compared to 2023.
- Food insecurity is more common among enlisted soldiers (57%) than officers (14%).
- Many soldiers feel embarrassed to seek help, which hides the true size of the problem.
- Lower-ranking soldiers with families are the hardest hit, with one in five eating less than they think they should due to lack of money.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
