The Stone Soup pantry provides food assistance to HIV-positive individuals and their families. The pantry is located at the AFH offices at 6260 Westpark Dr., Suite 100, Houston, TX 77057. It is currently open to provide food assistance to clients Monday-Friday from 10 AM-4 PM. Stone Soup is a designated distribution point for the Houston Food Bank.

NOTE: A valid photo ID is required to obtain food from Stone Soup.

Ready-To-Eat Food Drive

Stone Soup is increasingly in need of ready-to-eat foods for the homeless. Because they are homeless, these clients have no means to cook food and rarely have access to basic utensils such as can openers. AFH is serving more homeless persons since it became part of The Way Home, Houston's coordinated access program for housing assistance.

Under the program anyone who is homeless, regardless of HIV status, can come to AFH to apply for housing assistance. If they are HIV-negative, AFH works with other area programs to find them housing. Those who are HIV-positive are placed in an AFH housing program. All who come in to apply are allowed access to the Stone Soup pantry during their visit.

You can help AFH feed the homeless with foods that require no preparation or utensils. Please collect items from the list below and deliver them to our offices at 6260 Westpark Dr., Suite 100, Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. All items should have a top that the client can pop open and use without a can opener. Alternatively, you can make a monetary donation to Stone Soup.

DONATE TO STONE SOUP

Pop the Top Homeless Bag Items

• Gatorade
• Juice Boxes
• Crackers
• Peanut Butter (creamy)
• Vienna Sausage
• Fruit Cups
• Beans and franks
• Granola/Cereal bars
• Chili
• Soup
• Tuna

For persons living with HIV, access to nutritional foods is of dire importance. Proper nutrition strengthens their bodies’ ability to fight infection and maximizes the effectiveness of anti-retroviral medications.

Personal Hygiene Items are also needed and appreciated by AFH clients.

Pop the Top Homeless Bag Items

• Soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Dental Floss
• Feminine Hygiene Products (they can also be used to staunch bleeding wounds)
• Deodorant
• Shaving Supplies
• Baby Wipes
• Facial cleansing cloths
• Toilet paper
• Lotion/Lip Balm
• Manicure Set (Nail Clippers, Nail Brush, File)
• Razors
• Tweezers
• Small and large trash bags or recycled grocery bags (make sure they are free of tears and holes)
• Disposable gloves

Special nutritional needs of those living with HIV/AIDS

HIV can alter the body’s metabolism, as well as its ability to absorb nutrients. In order for the body to effectively fight the disease, it requires more calories. According to the World Food Programme, an HIV-positive adult can require up to 30% more calories than the average adult and an HIV-positive child can require anywhere from 50-100% more calories when compared to HIV-negative children. Many of the anti-retroviral medications required to manage the disease should be taken with food and can cause severe illness when taken on an empty stomach. A lack of access to adequate food can often result in an HIV-positive person not adhering to their medication regimen to avoid illness.

Stone Soup meets the immediate needs for nutritious food, while improving the health outcomes for persons living with HIV.

Stone Soup is the only food assistance program designed to meet the needs of HIV positive clients in the Houston area.  It is a donation based, volunteer driven program.

Questions? Please contact:

    Charleston Stoker, Director, Housing & Supportive Services
    [email protected]
    713-623-6796 x260

Thank you to the following Stone Soup sponsors: