Feeding America

Getting Ahead

“I am a single mom of three children. I have had so many hard times in my past with situational choices that made me feel like I was stuck in a box with no one to help me get out of it. I was jumping from job to job, losing jobs because of personal issues that was happening, plus I would just blow my money that was in my pocket. When I got my taxes every year, it would be gone in one day on things that were just items I did not need but felt like I needed them. But what happened when the money was gone and the rent was due or light bill was due, the items I wanted went straight to the pawn shop because I needed to pay my bills.

It felt like I was not moving or going anywhere in my life. It was the hardest time of my life until one day my daughter’s Family Supporter at school asked me if I wanted to join a class called “Getting Ahead in a Just- Gettin’- by World.” I filled out the application and was accepted into the class.

In the beginning of this class I walked in without knowing what it was going to be like. I have learned a lot from taking this class, learning to have a better understanding of what, who, when, and where I as a person, or even a community, stand. When I entered the class I was in a bind and did not know where I was headed for my future or even my children’s future.

When I attended classes and met everyone who was in my class it was nice to see a small group just like me. People who were in an area of their lives in which they did not have the resources to get help or have the support of people in their inner circle of life. I learned a lot in this class. I learned that I am not the only one who is going through this situation in life. I also learned about budgeting my money, understanding how to start a budget and maintain it. I learned about how many places are out here that are trying to keep you where you are and not let you get ahead of it, they try to keep you in your box and make you still be where you started. I learned about how to talk to people in many ways to maintain a civil conversation with professional language. I learned about all the hidden rules of life.

I also learned about MYSELF… and to understand how to place each puzzle piece in the right place to fix what was missing. So, overall, I took the time to understand what the meaning of this class is about…. It IS FINDING YOURSELF AND LOOKING FROM THE OUTSIDE IN….

So, now that the class is coming to an end, I have truly looked at my life in a whole new way by taking myself and placing me beside myself to watch my life as it unfolds or how it unfolded in my past. You cannot keep looking from just your point of view because it’s all different

on the outside. Take a risk and place one foot outside of your box to take those baby steps to success. We all need positive support in our lives but we don’t seek help because we think we’ll be judged or placed in a negative situation. I took the time to step outside of me and look from another perspective. I looked at my life as a whole instead of looking at it in pieces.

This year is going to be a struggle to get ahead of where I was but I have a start right now. I am still a single mother of three wonderful children and I have a full-time job that I love and look forward to going to every day. I am stable with a home for my children. I am not going to lie or sugarcoat anything for anyone.  I still do struggle in life because I am just now overcoming my hardship in my life. I am what you call the working poor. I am still at the bottom but gaining in to the middle. I can say that I am stable and my children are happy.

When my taxes came in I spent them in the right places instead of the wrong places. Instead of going out to just blow it I told myself, “I must keep my house, my car, my lights, gas, water and mainly keep my children safe.” So, when I got my taxes I looked at my budget plan. I paid my rent for a year, I got a new car which was needed, I got all my utilities paid, paid off my couches, plus put some away for emergencies when needed. I did all that by taking the time to look at my life from the outside in and it helped me understand what I want my life to look like in the end. I took the challenge to step out just one foot – that is all it takes.

So, when you feel like you are nothing, always know that you are something and have a place to be in life. Right now your life is hard but you can take that step to make the change, you must want change to accept change. Never give up on the simple things and strive for the hardest ones that make you want to just give up. I hope the future GA Investigators take the one small challenge to just place one foot outside the box to help you see your life from the outside in…

My favorite quote now is, ‘Every inch will help you reach that mile, place one foot outside of your comfort zone to take a chance.’”

~ CMW,
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’ By World investigator

Hard Decisions

We hear it all the time, and no family should have to ask themselves this: “At the end of the month, do we buy food or pay the bills?”

Ronda, like many others in our community, reminds us of the importance of our work. “If we weren’t able to get food from the Food Bank, our family would go without some meals. We are very appreciative of the support and for all the volunteers who are here helping out.”

Ronda and her husband have four kids – two school age and two living on their own. Their older kids are working hard to maintain employment. With two still at home and in school, the pressure really weighs on her and her husband. Fortunately, they are able to turn to the Food Bank for help when it comes time to make the hard decision to pay the bills or buy food for their family.

“It’s too often that we don’t have enough money to buy food and pay our bills. I am thankful for all that the Food Bank does for my family,” Ronda said.

More than Just Food

Susan is 55 years old and an avid runner. While standing in line at our food distribution, she met a special friend who is developmentally delayed. They’ve formed a great relationship and now run together every Tuesday after they receive their food. Susan has met some of her best friends in line at the Food Bank. She calls them her family.

Susan says, “I only have a few dollars for groceries each month and coming to the Food Bank allows me to eat some foods that I otherwise wouldn’t eat.” And if there is food that Susan doesn’t normally eat, or she has had enough of, she makes sure to put it in the hands of a homeless individual on her walk home.

Susan doesn’t have a car – she walks everywhere she goes, but her positivity is unstoppable. “To be honest, I’m glad I can’t afford a car. They are a headache to maintain and I stay healthier by walking many miles each day.” Susan went on to say, “And if I had a car, I wouldn’t have met some of the people who I now interact with each day.”

 

Unfortunate Circumstances

Penny is a single mother and has always worked multiple jobs to support her daughters. Over a year ago, her health began to spiral downward and she knew eventually she would not be able to keep up with the demands of her construction jobs. Before long, Penny was let go because she was unable to perform the duties she was hired for. She knew times were going to get tough, but what she feared the most was letting her kids down.

Penny said, “Food prices are so high right now and the amounts are smaller at the store. So, the assistance I’m receiving from the Food Bank has been outstanding. They are even helping with hygiene items, which are a huge blessing.”

The Food Bank works every day with hard-working people who’ve met unfortunate circumstances, like Penny, helping them to keep food in their fridges.

“Since I had my first child, I promised myself that each time they opened the refrigerator they would never see it empty,” Penny said.

Fighting a Different Fight

Every year we celebrate our independence and offer our deepest gratitude to people like Carroll who’ve fought for our freedom. Too often, those who sacrificed so much are now fighting to make ends meet.

A United States Navy Veteran who spent many years serving our county, Carroll was an electronics technician for as long as he could remember. But since his time in the Navy, Carroll has struggled to find a consistent paycheck. Today, he has a very meager income and comes to the Food Bank for help.

Through his experience, Carroll claims, “Jobs aren’t plentiful by any means; paying jobs are definitely not plentiful. I have to come to these distributions to keep me going.”

Like Carroll, roughly 2,000 local veterans struggle to afford nutritious food. The Food Bank is proud to serve these individuals who have selflessly served to defend our country.

 

A Way of Life

Gene and Mary are two of the hundreds of volunteers that allow the Food Bank to serve our neighbors. Over the last 16 years, they have been dedicating two days a week to alleviating hunger and giving back to the community.

“Volunteering at the Food Bank of Lincoln is a privilege and a blessing to us. In the last few years, the need for food that families and individuals are experiencing has increased in our community. More food, volunteers and money are required to meet the growing demand, and the Food Bank works hard to make this happen. To volunteer where the purpose is so noble has been a way of life for our retirement.”

We are grateful for Gene and Mary, and many others like them who help by providing volunteer service, financial contributions and food donations. You make a difference and restore hope in the lives of families in need.

Giving and Receiving

Shannon has been coming to food distributions for years, first starting as a volunteer to give back to the community. She continues to volunteer each week, but like so many others, is struggling to make ends meet and now gets help from the Food Bank.

After getting married, having children and enduring some challenging life circumstances, Shannon is now coming to extend her budget. She home schools her children and also baby-sits kids to make a little extra money. Her husband also works full-time, but at the end of the month, “it doesn’t always work out,” she said.

With life’s uncertain curveballs, Shannon isn’t sure how long she will need help from the Food Bank. But she does know that even as she struggles, she will continue to volunteer and help others in need.

Trying to Make Ends Meet

Vallary had been struggling to find employment for quite some time. She dipped her toes in many part-time jobs, trying to find the right fit, until she decided it was time to switch gears and finally pursue college. Soon after she began working toward a degree, her husband left their home and family. Now she has to take care of her kids all alone – with a rising pile of school bills.

She recently found work as a paid intern in the computer industry while continuing to work on her degree. But the minimal income doesn’t come close to meeting the needs of her family.

Vallary says, “Times are tough and I don’t have the experience many employers want. Plus, I have little ones to take care of.”

Even with food assistance from the Food Bank, Vallary is short at the end of each month – a reality for many hard-working single parents.

“The Food Bank usually has pretty good stuff. And everyone in my family appreciates the help. Right now, we are searching for a little more help.”

Hardship After Hardship

John has spent the majority of his adult life working in the plumbing industry. In 2009, the company he had been with for years down-sized. Unfortunately, John was one of many let go. Luckily, John had been in the industry for quite some time and met little resistance when it came to being hired on with another plumbing company.

John spent about a year at his new employer before they, like the previous employer, cut their staff. This time, it was much tougher for John to find a plumbing job. Most businesses weren’t hiring or looking to grow. So, John hit the road as a truck driver.

John drove for two years and saw nearly every part of the country. “Driving was peaceful, but it is not for me. I’ve been working hands on my entire life and I’m not the type who can sit behind a wheel and be comfortable. I want to see the work I’m doing, and plumbing was that,” stated John.

John recently decided to quit his driving job in hopes of finding another plumbing job. He has yet to find one and is now forced to be very cautious where to spend the little money he has left.

“It’s not that I want to be here, I have to be. I wouldn’t have much to eat otherwise. I know many people are in much worse situations than me, so I feel bad that I’m potentially taking food from somebody that may need it more than I,” he said.

Contrary to his belief, John’s story is similar to many others standing in line for food. Many are actively looking for work, some are working multiple jobs to make ends meet and too often, it’s simply not enough.

John says, “I’m giving it another month to find employment in the plumbing industry. If I can’t, I have no choice but to get back on the road.”

Surviving on Hope

Hugo met the Food Bank shortly after losing the job that supported his wife and three children. The SNAP (Food Stamps) Outreach Program at the Food Bank quickly helped Hugo apply for SNAP benefits and also connected his family with the many other resources available.

“SNAP dollars were our means to survive after I lost my job. We made the food stretch as far as possible. This was a tough time for me as a man because I could no longer provide for my family,” commented Hugo.

Hugo tried time and time again to find gainful employment. He was finally hired as a temp worker and while it helped, he knew that it wouldn’t last and again was faced with painful realities. “There were times when we would bring groceries home and the kids’ eyes were huge. We all felt normal, it was pure excitement. Other times, I couldn’t put gas in our only car and I didn’t have a single dollar for an ice cream cone. We had Christmas with no presents. The only thing we survived on was hope. Hope that came from the Food Bank staff that did not give up on us,” recalled Hugo.

Hugo’s time on SNAP was luckily short lived, thanks to an organization taking a chance on hiring him. Today, he is helping others who are in need – connecting them to similar resources he was once pointed toward. Hugo’s wife is also working, and his family is now collecting and donating food to the Food Bank. He wants to make sure his family remembers how blessed they’ve been.

Hugo said, “We were blessed the day we began receiving food assistance. We are blessed, again, and able to give some food back to those in need through our church. It is important for my family to connect others with the Food Bank and other resources.”

“We had nothing – zero. It is possible to pick yourself up; it’s not easy and often very humbling. The Food Bank was our angel.”

A Family Effort

Shanae is a stay-at-home mother of four children, and her husband works full-time but brings home a meager paycheck. When her family began struggling, the SNAP (Food Stamps) Outreach Program at the Food Bank offered assistance. Her oldest daughter is a full-time student and works part-time to help with transportation and schooling costs. Under SNAP guidelines, the family is required to claim her income as part of the overall family income. With the additional earnings, their family is only dollars over the income limits to qualify for benefits – meaning no more assistance.

“Nobody wants to be left wondering how they are going to provide for their family especially this time of year,” Shanae said.

The assistance provided by the Food Bank has offered a glimmer of hope for Shanae and her family in their time of need.

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