Tammy's Story

Tammy has spent a lot of the past year in pain.

The 32-year-old, who was steadily employed for more than 11 years as a caregiver, has been unable to work for the past six months because of a shoulder injury. Tammy won't be able to return to work until her rotator cuff tear and bone spurs – that were caused from assisting patients – are healed.

"Right now I can't really pull or lift. If you can't lift you can't work. I lost about $900 a month. That's a house payment," said Tammy, who is getting by on a combination of unemployment and disability.

Tammy was able to get some help at the Tri-Cities Food Bank in Kennewick, a Second Harvest hunger relief partner. At the food bank, helpful volunteers provided Tammy with meat, eggs, bread, salad, cucumbers, apples, frozen potatoes and other items to help her through the month.

"I don't have to use my regular money for groceries. I can use it more for gas to get places," Tammy said. "If I didn't have this I would have to use my bill money for food."