Nonprofits Provide Critical Aid During Winter Storm Fern

Wichita Falls food bank and Salvation Army step up to support community members in need

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:31pm

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As Winter Storm Fern hit Wichita Falls, Texas, local nonprofits like the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank and the Salvation Army played a crucial role in providing food and other assistance to community members in need. Despite the food bank itself being closed for safety reasons, it had pre-positioned supplies with partner agencies to help them weather the initial freeze. The Salvation Army also relied heavily on the food bank's support, noting that without this partnership, they would have struggled to meet the increased demand for aid during the storm.

Why it matters

Natural disasters often shine a light on the issue of hunger in a community, but nonprofits like food banks and shelters work year-round to address these needs. The collaboration between the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank and the Salvation Army demonstrates the importance of these partnerships in responding effectively to emergencies and supporting vulnerable populations.

The details

Before Winter Storm Fern arrived, the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank worked to distribute food to local nonprofits like the Salvation Army, ensuring they had the supplies needed to assist community members during the freeze. While the food bank itself was closed for safety reasons, the pre-positioned food allowed the Salvation Army to continue providing aid. The Salvation Army noted that without this partnership, they would have struggled to meet the increased demand for food and other assistance during the storm.

  • Winter Storm Fern hit Wichita Falls, Texas in January 2026.

The players

Wichita Falls Area Food Bank

A regional food bank serving a 12-county area in Texas, providing food and other resources to local nonprofits and community members in need.

Salvation Army

A nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of social services, including emergency assistance, disaster relief, and food aid, to communities in need.

Julie Nawrocki

Director of Philanthropy at the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank.

Ramon Leal

Major at the Salvation Army in Wichita Falls.

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What they’re saying

“We made sure that, number one, our employees were safe, and also our community partners, because our community partners are traveling across 12 counties to get to the doors of our food bank. So we really made a very conscientious effort to make sure that we were doing everything prior to the storm hitting so they had everything they needed.”

— Julie Nawrocki, Director of Philanthropy, Wichita Falls Area Food Bank

“If we wouldn't have been able to have that partnership with the food bank, we truthfully probably would have struggled to be able to meet that particular need, the reality is we don't raise enough funds in our community to be able to support purchasing food from United or Walmart or Sam's on a daily basis.”

— Ramon Leal, Major, Salvation Army

What’s next

As the cold weather continues and the long-term impacts of the storm are felt, the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank and Salvation Army will continue to work together to address the ongoing needs of the community.

The takeaway

This story highlights the vital role that nonprofits play in supporting communities during natural disasters and other emergencies. The collaboration between the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank and Salvation Army demonstrates the importance of these partnerships in responding effectively to crises and ensuring vulnerable populations have access to essential resources.