Stories of Hunger

Mother Gloria and daughter Summer know the stigma that can accompany visiting a pantry. But when it comes to feeding your family, you have to swallow your pride.

“At first, I was like, I don’t need to go there. We’re fine. We’ll make it,” Gloria said recalling her first pantry visit. “I’ve learned since that being proud is not the answer sometimes.”

“Coming to a pantry, it was hard to accept that you need the help,” Summer said. “It was a struggle at first but sometimes you learn that you just need the help.”

Gloria, from Greenville, learned about Lake Wappapello Food Pantry after taking her husband’s grandmother there to get her monthly senior food box. After some internal debate, she began using the pantry to supplement her food at home.

Summer, who lives in Silva, has struggled over the past year trying to get enough food to keep her two growing boys, her husband and herself fed, especially after her husband was laid off from his automotive job during the pandemic.

“It’s been pretty hard, but it’s getting a little better,” Summer said, adding that her husband is back at work but the family is still trying to catch up financially. [The pantry] gives you real food that makes a meal and it helps. This is truly a blessing to us. We truly appreciate it and are really grateful. Every little bit helps. It’s a blessing.”

“It is, and it’s not wasted either,” Gloria added.