I am a Navy veteran. I was honorably discharged after serving my country for four years on several detachments and deployments. I loved my time in the Navy. Sure, it was hard work but I got to see the world and I was always taken care of. It wasn't until after I got out that my struggles really began.
I'm a single mom to two beautiful girls – Hailey is four and Hannah is six. My husband and I split up a few years ago and unfortunately I don't receive any support. I want to work hard and earn a living, but right now my daughters' school schedule doesn't allow it. Hailey is too young to attend school all day, and I can't afford the daycare I'd need to work full time. I do everything I can to make the most of the few hours she is in school – I clean homes, landscape lawns; anything to make a little money to keep the shelves stocked. But as you can imagine, it's not enough. There have been times when I didn't eat so my daughters could.
As a veteran, it's really tough to ask for help. The Navy taught me to be independent. I was ashamed to admit that I couldn't make it on my own. My daughters were the only reason I ended up asking for assistance. Their needs motivated me to put my pride aside and visit a nearby food pantry – served by the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. By giving us food, the pantry restored a sense of normalcy to our lives and gave us the strength and inspiration we needed to keep reaching for a better day.
I now know that a better day will be here soon. When Hailey is old enough to attend full-time kindergarten, I can work enough hours to make ends meet. I'm not sure I'd be as hopeful about the future without the Food Bank’s support. To me, the people there are angels, and I can't thank them enough for everything they've done.
To read more of the fall 2017 newsletter, click here.
I'm a single mom to two beautiful girls – Hailey is four and Hannah is six. My husband and I split up a few years ago and unfortunately I don't receive any support. I want to work hard and earn a living, but right now my daughters' school schedule doesn't allow it. Hailey is too young to attend school all day, and I can't afford the daycare I'd need to work full time. I do everything I can to make the most of the few hours she is in school – I clean homes, landscape lawns; anything to make a little money to keep the shelves stocked. But as you can imagine, it's not enough. There have been times when I didn't eat so my daughters could.
As a veteran, it's really tough to ask for help. The Navy taught me to be independent. I was ashamed to admit that I couldn't make it on my own. My daughters were the only reason I ended up asking for assistance. Their needs motivated me to put my pride aside and visit a nearby food pantry – served by the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. By giving us food, the pantry restored a sense of normalcy to our lives and gave us the strength and inspiration we needed to keep reaching for a better day.
I now know that a better day will be here soon. When Hailey is old enough to attend full-time kindergarten, I can work enough hours to make ends meet. I'm not sure I'd be as hopeful about the future without the Food Bank’s support. To me, the people there are angels, and I can't thank them enough for everything they've done.
To read more of the fall 2017 newsletter, click here.
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