FEEDING HOPE: MARY’S STORY 

“I don’t even know if I’m going to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do because I drive a school bus. I have absolutely no idea.”

With uncertainty about how schools will operate this year due to the pandemic, Mary’s unsure when she’ll be able to return to work. “I know maybe we’re driving meals, I think, but I don’t know how that’s going to look because everyone in my family is high-risk as well.”

Mary’s husband is out of work too, so their family of seven have been attending Mobile Market food distributions to help ease the burden of medical bills and general expenses. Some of their neighbors have been feeling financial pressure from the pandemic as well. To help the other families in the neighborhood, Mary and her daughter have brought both of their cars to the Mobile Market event.

“That’s our friend,” Mary said pointing to the car behind them in the line of cars waiting for the distribution to start. “My daughter’s actually in the passenger seat, but it’s her car.” Mary said they know two more families who don’t have transportation that they’ve driven to food distributions. She also shares the food her family can’t use due to food allergies. “That’s what I will do. I will share whatever I can’t use because I’m not the only one. I’m not going to be selfish. I refuse to be selfish.”

Mary hopes that she’ll be able to return to work soon. Until then, she plans to attend Mobile Market events to help stretch her tight food budget. The relief she feels crossing items she receives at a distribution off her grocery list is welcome during such a stressful time.

Even amid her own challenges, Mary says she’ll continue to help other families in need get to the distributions. “I appreciate it, and I’m glad I have been able to bring others.”

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