The People Who Call Out To Us

Featured blog from the desk of Judy Jones, Development Director

Who are the faces in our community who worry about their next meal?  As the new Development Director at the Hunger Network, I have had the pleasure of visiting several of our Hunger Centers in the past few weeks, and meeting some of our clients.

They are people like Daisy Berrios and her family.  Daisy, her husband and their three children arrived in Cleveland just over a year ago from Puerto Rico. Shortly after settling into their new home, her husband was laid off from his job.  With only SSI and food stamps for income – and with a child who has severe food allergies – Daisy was worried about how she was going to provide healthy, nutritious meals for her family.  Through her church, she found out about the Hunger Network’s food pantry and Stay Well program at the Redeemer ICH Crisis Center.  There she was able to receive enough food for several meals – enough to get them through to the next Food Stamp cycle. And she was able to learn about healthy eating through the Stay Well program. Now that her husband is back to work part time, she is more confident about the future – and slightly less worried about food for her family.

They are people like 59-year old Larry, who is single with no family in the area and currently unemployed.  Larry’s health issues have been of major concern to him and he worries about how he can afford to eat healthy to improve his health.  He now comes to the Hunger Network’s University Settlement food pantry to receive a large bag of groceries, which includes fresh produce, and also receives a hot lunchtime meal.  He has found a new network of caring friends and looks forward to his time visiting University Settlement.

And they are children like 9-year old Kerri.  Kerri shouldn’t have to worry about where her next meal comes from, but she does.  Especially in the summer months when she does not attend school. She lives with her grandmother and two other family members and knows that food is in short supply.  Luckily, her grandmother knows a friend who volunteers at WSEM Community Corner who told her about the food pantry.  The family now receives nutritious food, including fresh fruit and produce, at the Hunger Center  - and are finding out about other available resources.  Kerri is more confident now – and is looking forward to the last few weeks of summer.

Meeting these people and hearing their stories inspires me to want to do more.  I hope that my brief glimpse into their lives helps you make up your mind to do a little more too!  Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Kerri, Larry and Daisy’s family – and the more than 60,000 other people who come monthly to one of our centers.

Please consider making a financial donation to help us bridge the gap between hunger and food!  Please click on the “donate” button on our website and look for the annual campaign link. Together, we can help a child worry less about his or her next meal – and instead concentrate on having fun!

For more ways to help the Hunger Network, or for a list of our Hunger Centers and updates about our programs, visit our website at HungerNetwork.org.

Remember, just one dollar provides four meals at a Hunger Network site.  You do make a difference!