“I Feel Loved and Cared For”
Susan, a single mother of three, was already struggling financially when she lost her job.
When the summer rolled around and her kids no longer had access to two free meals per day at school, things got really tight.
Thankfully, with the support of friends like you, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin helps to run a number of summer meals sites, making food available to kids from families in need.
“This helps in 800 different ways,” says Susan. “Just having this takes the pressure off my shoulders, even for a minute.”
Susan explains that she fell “into that middle ground” where she was making too much for SNAP benefits but still struggling.
As Susan speaks, her 7-year-old daughter Scarlet munches on a sandwich provided at the meals site.
Scarlet laughs as she introduces someone to a red dinosaur puppet on her hand — and she makes sure you know that this particular dinosaur is a girl.
“Her name is Fire Pack!” Scarlet says. “And I have another one at home whose name is Ice Pack!”
Scarlet’s wonderful imagination is a great thing to have during summer vacation. But all the imagination in the world won’t put food on the table.
That’s why Susan, who is actively seeking a new job, is so grateful for the summer meals site … which provides much more than food. It also offers daily activities for the kids.
Scarlet loves hanging out with her friends at the site — and Susan loves seeing her daughter’s joy as she giggles and hops around while taking bites out of an apple.
“Look at those little happy food dances,” Susan says. “Oh my goodness, that’s nice to see.”
As a donor, you’re bringing food — and “little happy dances” — to children and families throughout Wisconsin this summer.
