Supporting People in Crisis - United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
Supporting People in Crisis

The Challenges We Face

At any given moment, a person can experience job loss, hunger, rising rent, utility bills, fire, hurricane or a pandemic. When an individual or family needs help or experiences a life event, disaster or crisis; the impact often has a ripple effect on their job, education, health and safety.

  • 3,155

    experienced homelessness on any given day in Bexar County in 2023
  • 49 %

    of households renting in Bexar County spent 30% or more of their income on housing costs in 2021
  • 14 %

    (1 in 7) of people in Bexar County were food insecure in 2021
  • 21 %

    of people in emergency shelters, transitional shelters, or unsheltered in Bexar County in 2023 are Black. They are significantly overrepresented compared to the general community population by about three times.

Our Work in Action

Our Safety Net Impact Council strives to provide emergency and disaster care services to help stabilize individuals and families, meeting their most immediate needs.

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE 24/7

Whether it’s a personal need or a natural disaster, United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline, available 24/7/365, is a critical link for hundreds of thousands of South Texas callers and website visitors each year who seek assistance and referrals to health and human services. Calls are free, confidential and conducted in English or Spanish.

SUPPORTING MILITARY FAMILIES

Home to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Camp Bullis, San Antonio is known as Military City, USA®. MISSION UNITED connects active-duty service members, reservists, veterans and their families to vital community resources through calls to the 2-1-1 Helpline.

PREPARING FOR THE UNEXPECTED

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) manages federal funds awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Bexar County, TX Local Board #788600, administered by our United Way, looks at needs and gaps in services in the community and focuses the dollars to support those partners serving individuals and families most in need.

Safety Net Impact Partners

  • American Red Cross – San Antonio
  • Ascension DePaul Services
  • Boysville
  • Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio
  • Christian Assistance Ministry
  • Corazón Ministries
  • Family Service Association of San Antonio
  • Family Violence Prevention Services
  • Good Samaritan Community Services
  • Greater Randolph Area Services Program (GRASP)
  • Haven for Hope
  • Meals on Wheels San Antonio
  • Presa Community Center
  • Rape Crisis Center, The
  • Respite Care of San Antonio
  • SA Hope Center
  • Salvation Army, The
  • SAMMinistries
  • San Antonio Food Bank
  • Seton Home
  • St. Peter - St. Joseph Children’s Home
  • Texas Diaper Bank
  • ThriveWell Cancer Foundation
  • THRU Project

Our Impact

  • 13,309

    people received emergency shelter
  • 398,235

    people received help with food services
  • 26,359

    people received assistance to meet their urgent, essential needs