HTX-COM: Impact 11/3/2025

Montgomery County Food Bank celebrated the completion of an 18,000-square-foot expansion to its facility in Conroe on Oct. 28, marking a milestone in its mission to fight hunger across the county, according to an Oct. 28 news release

Marking the milestone: Through the “Build Today, Feed Tomorrow” capital campaign, the food bank added new areas to boost efficiency, storage and volunteer capacity. 

The expansion includes the Howard Hughes Produce Rescue Center—expected to recover about 110,000 more pounds of produce each month—as well as a new Woodforest National Bank Volunteer Center and expanded cold storage, increasing refrigerated space by 43%.

The additional space will allow the organization to distribute 1 million more meals each year, building on the nearly 9 million meals provided to Montgomery County residents in 2024, per the release.

Elite Repeat officials said the consignment shop relocated in Montgomery on Aug. 22.

The details: Previously located at 19786 Hwy. 105 W., Montgomery, Elite Repeat no longer accepts furniture and is now focused on offering upscale boutique items, officials said. The resale shop accepts men's and women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, handbags and home decor.

• 20821 Eva St., Ste. J, Montgomery

Montgomery County commissioners have allocated almost $70 million to road bond projects, which is more than half of the first issuance from the county’s $480 million road bond program, according to an update presented during the Oct. 28 Commissioners Court meeting.

The breakdown: Budget Officer Amanda Carter told commissioners the first round of funds is already more than 50% allocated within just a few months. Officials said they are preparing for the next round of bond issuance to provide more funding for road bond projects.

How we got here: Montgomery County voters approved the $480 million road bond in May 2025, authorizing major transportation investments to address regional congestion and support growth across the county.

Millions of Texans may see delays in their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits beginning Nov. 1, as the federal government shutdown reaches the one-month mark.

The latest: The federal food assistance program is set to run out of funding in November, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Two federal judges ruled Oct. 31 that the Trump Administration must use federal contingency funds, which are stockpiled for emergency expenses, to fund SNAP in November, although the next steps surrounding SNAP benefits were unclear as of press time.

The local impact: Over 3.5 million Texans receive SNAP benefits each month, according to Feeding Texas, the statewide network of food banks.

“People are at risk of going hungry if the government doesn't reopen and SNAP benefits are delayed. … These are already vulnerable Texans,” Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole said in an Oct. 27 interview.

Food banks across the state Texas food banks previously expanded their operations to meet increased demand as thousands of federal workers go without paychecks during the shutdown.

Approximately 460,000 Texans have Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Advocates are encouraging Texas voters to approve State Proposition 14, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to spend $3 billion to launch the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The overview: Proposition 14 would allocate $3 billion in state dollars to fund the institute for the next 10 years. The institute would work with researchers and doctors to study the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

All funding for the institute would come from existing state revenue, donations and potential federal grants, meaning no new state taxes or fees would be created.

What they're saying: "If Proposition 14 passes, it really will establish Texas as an incredible leader in our country," neurological researcher Joshua Shulman said. 

At the polls: Early voting runs through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.