Agency Spotlight: Salvation Army

Lisa has gone through some tough financial times since being diagnosed with acute diabetes and neuropathy in 2004.

The 41-year-old struggles to maintain blood sugar levels that, while low for her, are more than double the upper end of the normal range. Once a manager for Wal-Mart, Lisa is now medically disabled. She helps to raise her 3-year-old granddaughter, Bailee, while existing on a few hundred dollars a month in general assistance unemployment. Bailee’s mother, Brittany, was working two jobs, but quit work when dealing with challenges seven months into her pregnancy.

“When you’re on food stamps, it’s not easy to afford all the fresh vegetables that you should be eating. You’ve got to try to eat cheap and eating cheap doesn’t always mean eating healthy,” said Lisa, adding that when money gets tight the family exists on Top Ramen.

Recently, Lisa’s family sought help from The Salvation Army Family Resource Center Food Bank. The Salvation Army, part of Second Harvest’s network of 20 emergency food pantries in Spokane County, serves 2,600 clients per month.

At the food bank, which is designed like a small store and offers choices for clients, Lisa and Brittany selected foods that best fit the family’s dietary needs. Nutrition plays a critical role for the three-person family. Research shows that well-nourished mothers deliver healthier babies. As a growing child, Bailee needs healthy food to help maintain proper growth and development. For Lisa, getting the right nutrition can mean the difference between maintaining her health or losing the battle with diabetes.

Although the cupboards at the family’s Mead home were nearly bare, they still had items, such as boxed macaroni and cheese. The problem, Lisa said, is they had no milk to mix with it. At The Salvation Army, the family was able to choose items, such as milk, that stretched their limited grocery budget.

“This is very helpful,” Lisa said.