Food Bank's Children's Meal Program Helps Keep Sisters Healthy

Jan24

Jessica is 14 and her sister Andrea is 9. They fight a lot, like any other siblings. While Jessica is thinking about being a therapist when she grows up, her little sister wants to be a baker.

They’re growing quickly and their mom, Rocio, wants to make sure they have all the nutrients to grow healthy so they can achieve their dreams.

After taking her daughters to the nutritionist and being told they were gaining too much weight, she knew their diet had to change.

The first food item to go was the cereal. Instead, their mom gives them fruits and vegetables to snack on, similar to the food the girls receive at the Food Bank’s children’s meal program.

“They are constantly eating when they are bored, so I try to have them eat the same things as here: carrots, cucumbers, apples, pineapple, things that nourish and also fill them,” Rocio said.

Rocio tries her best to give her daughters fruits and vegetables, but with two growing girls, it’s hard to keep the fridge stocked on her budget.

“Before I used to spend about $400 per month, so $100 per week. Now I am spending about $150 per week, so I am spending $200 more per month in food because my daughters just eat a lot,” Rocio said.

Though her husband works full-time, to help cut expenses, Rocio looks for cheap ways to keep her daughters entertained while helping them stay active. Instead of going to places where she needs to drive far, they’ll take family walks around the neighborhood or go to the nearest park. Other times, she’ll take away their electronic devices and have them run laps around the house.

During the week, they’ll go to the Thinkery on community night when admission is donation based, and sometimes they’ll volunteer, helping clean up the community.

For Rocio, the Food Bank’s children’s meal program gives her daughters healthy food to keep a balanced diet and gives them a chance to get the daily physical activity they need to stay healthy while they play with other kids.

“Keep helping and supporting our community because you can see the result. The result will be a healthier and stronger community,” Rocio said.

For families on a tight budget, it can be hard to access fresh fruits and vegetables. With your support, we can provide nutritious food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to families that would otherwise have to do without.  

Help us raise enough through Amplify Austin, a 24-hour day of giving, to provide fresh produce to 4,500 Central Texas families of four, like Rocio’s, for a month. Your donation of just $50 will provide fresh produce for a family of four for a month. Don't wait until the day of giving, on March 1-2, and pre-schedule your donation now.

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