Stories of Hunger

While Keturah, a Charleston mother of three, appreciates the food she gets at mobile food distributions, she sees something more, something bigger – an example of help.

“There’s a lot of poverty around here, and when you guys do things like this and let the kids help, it is welcomed because we don’t see it a lot,” she said.  “All these kids around here see violence and drugs, so when communities and organizations like (Southeast Missouri Food Bank) come in and do stuff like this, that is great. The kids need the positive energy and message rather than fighting and everything else. Help your community grow.”

The past year has been tough for Keturah and her children. She works with an in-home health care service, but her hours were cut and she has struggled to keep food on the table.

“We’ve been really struggling since the pandemic,” Keturah said.  “… I work for an in-home health care service, so I try to find out where the food is given out so I can let my clients know as well. A lot of them are scared to get out or they can’t get out. So, I go get it for them. Even if it wasn’t my job I just love to help.”

Keturah and her family have struggled with food, especially when the kids were home from school and needed breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. She considers the mobile food pantries a “blessing.”

 “There’s so many people who need this,” Keturah said. “My kids love the food given out, and it helps out my wallet. When you have little kids, they want snacks and stuff from the store that I can’t afford, but you guys give us that and that helps out. The food here keeps our freezer and refrigerator full. I just thank God for you all.”