Supporting Families with the Meal Deficit Metric
The nation was devastated to learn of the massive flooding over the Fourth of July holiday in Kerr County, Texas. This natural disaster resulted in significant loss of life, including the heartbreaking deaths of young girls attending the 99-year-old Camp Mystic.
While Kerr County is known for its natural beauty and attracts a mix of affluent visitors and residents, it is primarily home to middle- and lower-income families, many of whom already struggle with food insecurity.
At MGRCG, we responded by developing and releasing a set of free food access maps and analysis tools to assist local leaders, organizations, and neighbors in delivering targeted relief.
What the Model Tells Us About Food Insecurity in Kerr County
Our Meal Deficit Metric (MDM) is a proprietary model that calculates where meals are missed after accounting for all food sources, including groceries, free programs, pantries, and more.
This model is not just about long-term hunger; it’s a blueprint for smart, responsive action in moments of crisis.
When natural disasters strike, the MDM:
- Pinpoints communities in greatest need
- Removes the guesswork from aid distribution
- Helps leaders direct food, water, and supplies where they matter most
In Kerr County, we have now identified small geographic areas with high levels of food insecurity. Communities that were struggling before the flood are now in urgent need of coordinated support.
Kerr County has a population of about 54,000 and misses over 43,000 meals each week because households cannot afford them.
We partitioned the County into 37 small areas and generated reliable scores of net missing meals for each one.
The area outlined on the map misses the most meals: 3,169 missed meals each week for a population of 3,017. See the table for additional details.
Beyond Food: Addressing Compounding Needs
The flood didn’t just disrupt access to food. Families are now grappling with:
- Displacement from homes
- Lack of transportation
- Loss of daily necessities like bottled water, diapers, medications, and hygiene products
When data is layered properly, it helps us understand the full picture and design solutions that reflect real human need, not just assumptions.
MG principal Mari Gallagher shared:
“We rushed to develop supportive analysis and maps pro bono to help flood survivors now suffering the aftermath of such devastation, and we send our deepest sympathies and prayers to the families that lost loved ones.”
Local Leaders Can Use These Free Maps Now to Direct Aid
This is not just a data story — it’s a call to action.
Local leaders, nonprofit organizations, and everyday residents can use these free maps and data to:
- Identify where support is most needed
- Coordinate volunteer efforts and food distributions
- Inform grant proposals and funding priorities
- Spark partnerships for long-term recovery
Download the free Kerr County maps here.
Contact us to explore custom support or analysis.
Join Us in Supporting Kerr County
The flood’s impact has been heartbreaking, but it has also shown how community, data, and compassion can come together to support healing and recovery.
With the Meal Deficit Metric, we are equipping local leaders and helpers with tools that make a real difference.
We invite you to:
- Download and share the free maps
- Start a conversation in your local organization or city office
- Reach out if you would like support in using data to take action where it matters most
Access the Kerr County maps here or connect with us to learn more.
Who is Mari Gallagher?
Mari Gallagher, founder and principal of Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group, is a nationally recognized expert in food access, grocery market analysis, hyperlocal data modeling, and community health impacts. She popularized the term “food desert,” helped motivate billions in federal investment into underserved areas, and continues to shape public policy and on-the-ground programs nationwide.
