Galveston County Grants $20,000 to M.I. Lewis Center

By David Thornton Columbus, OH · DICKINSON, TEXAS —

Published Updated 2 min read

Galveston County commissioners approved a $20,000 grant for the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center on Monday. The funding provides rent and utility aid to about 40 families facing rising costs.

DICKINSON, TEXAS — Galveston County commissioners approved an additional $20,000 for a grant to the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center on Monday. The recently approved funding will go toward financial assistance for families in need.

The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center helped 1,662 households in September 2026. Eighty-two of the households assisted by the center in September 2026 were first-time clients. Families line up at the center in Dickinson from Tuesday through Friday.

Each family can receive up to $500 in rent and utility assistance from the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center once per year. Galveston County has committed a total of $60,000 in funding to the center in 2026. The $60,000 in county funding is expected to serve approximately 40 families. Commissioners approved the $20,000 allocation in late September or early October 2026.

Timeline

St. Vincent’s House helped keep 348 families housed through its emergency assistance programs in 2025. St. Vincent’s House ensured 376 households maintained essential utilities through its emergency assistance programs in 2025. St. Vincent’s House served more than 100,000 individuals across its programs in 2025. Galveston County has committed a total of $60,000 in funding to the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center in 2026.

What's New

Later reporting indicates that the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center has served approximately 7,863 families and 22,239 individuals through its emergency food and financial assistance programs, according to its GuideStar profile. In 2025, M.I. Lewis Social Service Center served 7,863 families and 22,239 individuals through its emergency assistance programs, according to GuideStar's profile of the organization. M.I. Lewis Social Service Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making contributions to the center tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Primary source: galvestoncountytx.gov

The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center was established in the early 1960s by the Dickinson Ministerial Alliance and later renamed in the late 1970s to honor Reverend M. I. Lewis, following his death. The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center was originally established in the early 1960s by the Dickinson Ministerial Alliance as a small interfaith group dedicated to serving those in need. The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center received $300,000 in donations to repair its facilities after Hurricane Harvey caused severe flood damage in 2017. The center’s weekly client count increased from an average of 80 in the late 1970s to over 100 per week as of 2026, reflecting growing community demand for emergency services. Primary source: galvestoncountytx.gov

Why It Matters

The additional county funding addresses a gap created by missed federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program cycles and recent cuts. With demand rising at local agencies and each family limited to $500 in annual aid, this allocation directly impacts the number of households that can receive rent and utility assistance. The support comes as more first-time clients seek help due to increasing costs and restricted safety-net resources.

fact_check Facts

Families line up at the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center in Dickinson from Tuesday through Friday.
The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center helped 1,662 households in September 2026.
Eighty-two of the households assisted by the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center in September 2026 were first-time clients.
Angelica Hanley, Executive Director, M.I. Lewis Social Service Center
"I have seen grown men this past year alone who are in tears because they don’t want to have to be here."
Angelica Hanley, Executive Director, M.I. Lewis Social Service Center
"They don’t want to have to come to an agency — whether it’s ours or any agency — and ask for help."
Angelica Hanley, Executive Director, M.I. Lewis Social Service Center
"Food is the first thing they’re always asking for — but then it’s rent and utility assistance."
Galveston County has committed a total of $60,000 in funding to the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center in 2026.
Galveston County approved $20,000 in funding for the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center in late September or early October 2026.
Each family can receive up to $500 in rent and utility assistance from the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center once per year.
The $60,000 in Galveston County funding is expected to serve approximately 40 families.
Demand for services at St. Vincent’s House has grown by nearly 300% over the past six years.
St. Vincent’s House served more than 100,000 individuals across its programs in 2025.
St. Vincent’s House expects to serve more than 100,000 individuals in 2026.
St. Vincent’s House, Social Service Agency
"We are facing a ‘perfect storm.’ More than one in five Galveston residents lives below the poverty line, while the cost of living continues to rise and food insecurity is reaching critical levels. Families who were barely making ends meet are increasingly being pushed into crisis. Demand continues to grow, placing long-term pressure on community resources and safety-net systems. St. Vincent’s House is committed to being there — not only to help families survive the crisis in front of them, but to provide the support, connections and resources they need to move toward stability and ultimately thrive."
St. Vincent’s House helped keep 348 families housed through its emergency assistance programs in 2025.
St. Vincent’s House ensured 376 households maintained essential utilities through its emergency assistance programs in 2025.

menu_bookBackground & Sources

Context and data our newsroom added to the originating report, with the primary source for each item shown below it.

Angelica Hanley is the executive director of the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center.
Galveston County had been awarded $140,000 for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
Galveston County has missed two full funding cycles for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
St. Vincent’s House is the largest social service agency in Galveston County.
Galveston County commissioners approved an additional $20,000 for a grant to the M.I. Lewis Social Service Center on Monday, as rising costs and program restrictions strain the center’s ability to help residents, officials of the nonprofit said.
In 2025, M.I. Lewis Social Service Center served 7,863 families and 22,239 individuals through its emergency assistance programs, according to GuideStar's profile of the organization.
Source: galvestoncountytx.gov
The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center has served approximately 7,863 families and 22,239 individuals through its emergency food and financial assistance programs, according to its GuideStar profile.
The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center was established in the early 1960s by the Dickinson Ministerial Alliance and later renamed in the late 1970s to honor Reverend M. I. Lewis, following his death.
Source: galvestoncountytx.gov
The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center was originally established in the early 1960s by the Dickinson Ministerial Alliance as a small interfaith group dedicated to serving those in need.
The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center received $300,000 in donations to repair its facilities after Hurricane Harvey caused severe flood damage in 2017.

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