Stories of Hunger

A mother’s love for her child is comparable to nothing else. Even in the face of hunger, Susan, a lifelong Delta, MO resident, would sacrifice her own comfort to make sure her teenage daughter is fed.

Being a single mom on disability with little income has been hard. With a growing teenager who needs extra nutrition, Susan has had to rely on mobile food pantries to get by.

“I come to these mostly for my kid to make sure she’s got food on the table when we can’t afford it. I’m more worried about her than I am myself,” she said.

She especially appreciates the canned goods.

“Canned food helps me out more than anything. That way we can have sides and stuff and not just one piece of meat (for a meal),” Susan said.

With only one paycheck to last an entire month and the rising cost of groceries, the family has had to scrimp on food purchases.

“We end up spending more money than we need to spend on food that we have to use on other stuff, so we cut back on food and stretch it out as far as we can,” Susan said.

Susan is grateful for the food assistance Southeast Missouri Food Bank and its member agencies provide.

“I appreciate people helping volunteer and donating food and time. That makes me — I want to cry,” she said. “It just makes me feel good, people doing good stuff in the world.”