Laura has two little girls, a three year old and a six year old, who are very active and like to play with dolls.
At home, Laura makes all sorts of meals like stews and soups. The family rarely goes out to eat. Laura is a single mom and can’t afford to spend any extra money. But she always tries to have the vegetables and fruits her daughters love so much.
“They love all kinds of vegetables. They eat everything,” Laura said. “The fruit too, they eat everything—mangoes, watermelons, bananas, everything.”
Laura cleans for a living, but during the summer, her budget is even tighter. With back to school around the corner, Laura is feeling the pressure of the upcoming school expenses, especially since her daughter has been bullied for what she wears.
“It hurts to hear your child tell you that their friends make fun of her because of her clothes or shoes, but I try my best to give her the best I can,” Laura said.
This summer Laura has been able to save a little more money for back to school by turning to the Food Bank’s new Mobile Food Pantry distribution at her daughter’s school.
To help families like Laura’s make ends meet during the challenging summer months, the Food Bank partnered with the Austin Independent School District to expand our Mobile Food Pantry services to four new schools.
Once a month, families are now able to get food at Galindo, Gus Garcia, Linder, Pecan Springs Elementary and Gus Garcia YMLA.
Laura joined families at one of the new school distributions where she was able to get staples, protein, apples, oranges and a bag filled with vegetables needed to make a stew. The mother was grateful for everything she received.
“I feel great happiness because I’m able to take something for my daughters and put something on the table. It’s a satisfaction that makes me very happy because I’m able to save something,” Laura said. “I don’t have to go to the store to buy it and I can buy something else for my daughters.”
With the help from the Food Bank, Laura has been able to save for school expenses, keep her daughters nourished through the summer and ensure that they’re ready to thrive this school year.
As the school doors get ready to open, you can help families like Laura’s prepare for the new opportunities the upcoming school year brings. Thanks to a generous matching challenge from the Gates and Stumburg Families, every dollar you give is doubled, but not for long.
The opportunity to have your generosity doubled ends August 31. Give before it’s too late.
