From U.S. Marine to Benefits + Emergency Services (BES) Manager, Eddie Dozal brings discipline, compassion, and a relentless focus on dignity to the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB). His team’s work sits at the heart of stability: helping neighbors access state assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) — often in the very moments that feel hardest.
On any given day, you’ll find Eddie on the BES floor, coaching teammates through a tricky application, stepping into the Fresh Harvest Market to greet a first-time visitor, or picking up the phone to make sure a neighbor gets the follow-up they were promised. As he puts it,
“Being able to just sit down and speak with some of our neighbors here has been some of the most rewarding conversations I’ve had in life.”
From Phoenix to the Corps — And Into Service
Eddie grew up in Phoenix, raised by a hard-working single mom. Watching her navigate tight times shaped how he shows up for others today:
“I just honestly wish there was somebody there for her. That’s what’s given me the passion to be here, to be able to provide and help out our neighbors.”
Inspired by an older brother’s service, Eddie enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school, “I did four years in the Marine Corps that I’m very proud of.”
He then earned a business degree and looked for work that aligned with his calling to serve. Volunteering at CTFB sealed it: the mission, the camaraderie, and the chance to make a tangible difference every single day.
What the Benefits + Emergency Services (BES) Team Does (And Why It Matters)
CTFB’s BES team helps neighbors apply for state benefits — SNAP (food), Medicaid (healthcare), TANF (cash) — and connects them to trusted community partners for additional support. Eddie is focused on strengthening this wraparound approach, making sure that a neighbor who comes to CTFB can access benefits help, shop the Fresh Harvest Market, and get warm referrals for other needs such as rent assistance, utilities, or mobile phone plans.
“When they come to us, they need more than just SNAP and Medicaid application assistance,” Eddie explains.
Breaking Down Barriers to Benefits
- Confusion & misinformation. Rumors spread quickly. Eddie’s team focuses on clear education — what qualifies, what doesn’t, and why trying to apply is still worth it when you’re near the income caps.
- Technology & access. When online portals or transportation get in the way, staff schedule phone appointments, submit documents on a neighbor’s behalf, and meet people where they are — literally.
- Trust. Fear can keep some from inquiring about help. BES carefully explains how programs work so neighbors can make informed decisions.
The impact is steady and significant. In a recent month, Eddie’s six-coordinator team supported hundreds of applications across SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF — activity levels comparable to last year despite the turmoil around federal funding.
“For me, it’s just always great to see that they’re able to get just that little bit of assistance,” he said.
The Impact of the Government Shutdown on Our Neighbors
The ongoing government shutdown is creating real uncertainty for families who rely on SNAP to get through the month. Eddie’s team is hearing the worry firsthand — neighbors unsure whether benefits will load, confused by conflicting information, and anxious about how to keep food on the table. Even in a shutdown, people can still apply for SNAP, and Eddie emphasizes that the BES team is doing everything possible to keep applications moving. As he explains, “They’re just trying to survive.”
A missed month of SNAP would be unprecedented, and even though the benefit amount is modest, that little bit of assistance is what helps families bridge the gap between bills, groceries, and basic stability.
Military Families & Food Security: A Calling Close to Home
As a Marine veteran, Eddie carries a special concern for service members and their families. He recently joined CTFB’s Community Needs Assessment wrap-up in Killeen and heard, again, how training rotations and deployments strain household budgets and routines.
“It really has been a tough and difficult conversation to have… because it is kind of difficult to get into the military posts up there,” he says.
That’s why CTFB leans on partnerships — VA centers, on-post and off-post collaborators, and community distributions — to reach military families in ways that work for them. Eddie’s recommendation to strengthen food security for this population is straightforward: more presence, more trust, and more tailored support across Bell and Coryell Counties.
Leading With Care (and Building Team Culture)
Benefits work can be emotionally heavy, and Eddie is intentional about protecting his team’s compassion, so it stays sustainable. He encourages perspective, peer support, and small wins that energize the work — like the recent book drive he organized, which collected more than 100 books for an organization serving people who are incarcerated and inspired a teammate to launch a toy drive for neighbors next. His colleagues notice that leadership. One teammate shared, “He serves the community with integrity and passion.” Another added, “He's been a tremendously helpful and kind presence at the food bank.”
Above all, Eddie credits the people around him: “We have such an amazing team here… I am extremely grateful to be their manager.”
Need Help With Benefits?
If you or someone you know is struggling to keep food on the table, start here:
- Apply for SNAP/Medicaid/TANF with CTFB’s BES team. Appointments and document help are available, on the phone or in person.
- Find food near you: Use Find Food Now to locate distributions and partner pantries across our 21-county region.
