Even after arriving an hour early to sign up to receive food at one of the Food Bank’s mobile pantry distribution sites, Maricela’s name is on the ninth sheet. She is just one of the more than 200 individuals waiting to take food home to their families.
With four children to take care of, the help couldn’t come at a better time. An unexpected expense put the family on a tighter budget and they can only scrape by with bare essentials like bread and a few vegetables.
After two weeks of not being able to buy groceries for her family, she decided to go to a mobile food pantry site.
“The food that they give us here is super healthy and they like it,” Maricela said.
She knows that her children will quickly eat the carrots she brings home, and she’s already planning on making grilled chicken with vegetables for dinner.
Though the food provides relief for her family, during the summer, the family feels more strain on their budget.
With the children at home and the hot days ahead, they know that their electricity bill will increase. They will try to run the air conditioner as little as possible, but the hot summer days make it difficult.
“The electric bill goes up a little higher because they’re in and out, in and out, and we try to keep the A/C off but it gets to the point where it’s hot and we have to turn it on,” she said.
The increase in utility bills isn’t their only worry. Having her kids at home during the summer means that she will have to provide meals at breakfast and lunch that they would otherwise receive at school.
“They tend to eat more when they’re at home because food is right there within arm's reach and at school they have a schedule,” she said. “It’s harder, but we somehow make ends meet by cutting down on portions and buying the cheaper stuff.”
Though she used to work to help support her family, she was only making enough to pay for childcare and gas. The family decided it was better for her to stay at home and take care of the children.
With her husband’s work slowing down from time to time, she is considering going back to work at least part-time. For now, her family appreciates all the help they can get.
Maricela and her family aren’t the only ones struggling to make ends meet this summer. Help us raise one million meals during our busiest season when children are out of school and don’t have access to free or reduced-price lunches. We need your help to fight hunger. Make a donation today!
