Stories of Hunger

With three children ages 5 years to 2 months old, Kassy has her hands full, especially when it comes to food in the household.

“My two-year-old eats the most, he’s my chunk,” Kassy said.

When Kassy’s oldest child came home from school one day with info for a mobile food pantry at the Bread Shed in Poplar Bluff, she was thrilled.

“It’s going to help a bunch with me not having to buy so much,” she said.

This particular food distribution is referred to as “A Better Childhood” or ABC mobile food pantry. These food distributions are held exclusively for school students and their families and can help make a significant impact on the lives of its students.

Kassy has visited the Bread Shed before, not only for food but also for baby supplies, which help her out quite a bit.

“I can always use diapers,” Kassy said.

Last year, her boyfriend Dakota was out of work due to the closures because of COVID-19 and on top of that she was pregnant, which made income and food hard to come by.

“It threw us downhill for a bit but we are now just able to get back on our feet with Dakota getting a new job and we are so glad,” Kassy said.

Kassy was very thankful for all of the food given out that day and on her other visits.

 “This is amazing because I know a lot of people don’t have stuff like this,” Kassy said. “I know what it’s like to not have food and to struggle and it’s hard.”

She also hopes that someday she can give back as well.

“If I had one thing I had to choose to do in life, I would want to do something like this in places that doesn’t have it,” Kassy said.