Nourish Lives Here and Make your Amplify Austin Donation

Mar02

Around 200 families gather at the Food Bank’s Dove Springs Mobile Pantry distribution. While Mary and Sean wait in a line that extends  out to the parking lot, their children Zoe, Willow, Jacob and Isaiah play in the park nearby.

Money is tight for the family. Sean is a disabled veteran and is unable to work. The family lives on a fixed income and staying within a budget can be hard, especially when unexpected circumstances arise. After having issues with their heating system, the family incurred a large increase in their electric bill, making it difficult to pay off.

“It’s a constant battle once you live on a fixed income. The expenses don’t stay fixed,” Sean said.  “Expenses are fluctuating every month.”

With expenses exceeding more than $900 a month, the family has had to make lifestyle changes to make ends meet.

“We live very frugally. We don’t spend money on anything we don’t need; we get our clothes from thrift stores and go do free fun things with the kids,” Mary said.

Though times are tough, the family has fun hiking around Austin, attending free events and concerts like Blues on the Green and the game expo during South by Southwest.

Though the family receives SNAP benefits, it’s not enough and the family relies on the Food Bank to supplement their meals.

“To be honest, without the food pantry, there would be nights that we would probably have to go without eating,” Sean said. “We’ve sat down and done our budget over and over and over again…and there’s not enough to go around each month.”

Thanks to the Food Bank, not only does the family have a meal on their table each night, but they’re able to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Mary is able to make fresh fruit smoothies for her children each morning. Throughout the day, the kids snack on a bowl of fruit and vegetables.

At the pantry the family gets bread, a lot of fresh produce and vegetables, staples, cereal, some sweets for the kids and meat

“We have gotten really good at becoming creative with the food from the food pantries. We normally can use every single thing they can give us and make a good meal out of it,” Mary said.

Families like Sean and Mary’s rely on the Food Bank to make sure they have a meal on their table.

During Amplify Austin, you can help families like theirs. Help us feed 2,500 families of four for a month. 

Make your Amplify donation today!