This Grateful Dad Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief

April 21, 2026

Summer can be an especially challenging season. Eric, a hardworking dad, knows that story all too well.

While he’s in between jobs, Eric works part-time with delivery services like DoorDash to help supplement his family’s limited income. His wife stays at home due to health issues and focuses on providing child care for their five young children.

That’s seven mouths to feed all under one roof. So, when summer vacation rolls around — and his children no longer have access to school meals — Eric’s grocery bill often sees a spike. That’s not to mention recent cuts to federal funding programs like FoodShare and Medicaid putting an extra squeeze on their already tight budget.

“Everything out there is going up,” he says. “I have definitely seen that increase.”

That’s why Eric relies on the WestCare food pantry in Milwaukee, a hunger relief partner of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, to feed his family.

Each grocery bag he carries home is filled with the essential foods his family needs, like meats, eggs, fresh produce, and canned goods. Because of your support, Eric can breathe a sigh of relief. He knows his family will be OK.

To compassionate friends like you who give, Eric shares his heartfelt thanks.

“I’m very thankful for everything [donors] do for the community, myself included,” he says. “It goes a long way.”

Thank you for helping families like Eric’s access the food they need this summer and beyond.

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