Katelyn is a single mother of three. During the day she takes care of her kids. Her 6-year-old daughter Cheyenne, is a diva while her 4-year old daughter, Charlotte, is a tomboy who likes to play in the dirt, Katelyn said.
In the evenings, she prepares to take her kids to their grandmother Stephanie’s house. Though her mom lives in Axtell, Texas, and it’s a 30-minute drive to pick up and drop her children off, Katelyn knows she’s saving money on day care. Gas will run her about $100 a week, but day care would be even more expensive.
Their grandma will take care of the kids while Katelyn works the night shift. She won’t be back to pick up her kids until at least 3 a.m.
Stephanie works full time as an assistant manager at a fast food restaurant and isn’t allowed overtime. What she earns isn't enough for the family to make it through the end of the month.
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The family can’t afford any extra expenses and makes an effort to save as much as they can by shopping at thrift stores, eating at home, using coupons and looking for deals at the grocery store.
The kids are limited as well. Cheyenne wants to do cheerleading, but can’t because “it costs an arm and a leg,” Katelyn said. Her mother is more worried about keeping a roof over their heads and trying to stay up to date with the utilities.
"There are not a lot of extra luxuries at all, just the bare necessities [like] rent, water, utilities and whatever is left over, you do food. Maybe set a bill back for another month to make sure you have enough money for food or something but cover it the next check,” Katelyn said.
While at a thrift store, Stephanie found out about the Food Bank’s Partner Agency, Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry in Waco just in time for the summer.
At the pantry they can get a cart full of canned food, bread, juice, meat, and fresh produce like watermelons, onions and carrots.
“It’s actually really good. It’s usually just enough to feed the three of us and we can make about five, six to seven meals out of it at a time so it works out really well,” Katelyn said.
To make the food go further, Katelyn will cook the veggies and freeze them, so she can serve the food at a later time.
The food will also help Stephanie feed her grandkids and her own three little ones while they’re at home for the summer break.
Hard working families like Katelyn’s need your help this summer. Thanks to a generous matching gift challenge from the Gates and Stumberg families, your gift will be matched. That means that for every $1 donated, we can provide eight nutritious meals to families in need. Help us bring back the joys of summer and double your impact today!
