Karen's Story

Karen's husband has a small remodeling business and work is scarce. To make matters worse, some of his customers are paying late – or not paying at all – as they experience their own financial problems.

"This has been going on for the past three to four months," Karen said. "It is really hard and we are barely getting by."

Construction workers have been hit pretty hard by the recent recession, where most new construction came to a grinding halt and many homeowners put off remodels due to shortages of funds. Although the family qualifies for a small amount of food stamps, providing enough healthy food for their growing children, ages 2, 5 and 7, is a challenge.

The 30-year-old mom brought her children to a tropical-theme dance at Roosevelt Elementary School in early spring. Second Harvest's Mobile Food Bank distribute a mix of fresh oranges, potatoes, avocados, frozen sweet potato French fries, almond milk and other food that helped 257 people, including 138 children.

"Whatever we get is very helpful," Karen said.