Chelsea is a devoted mother supporting her two children — a five-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter. After recently moving to Akron, she has been adjusting to a new city while navigating a period of unemployment.
To help stretch her budget, Chelsea visits food pantries 2-3 times per month. While she receives food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), they don’t always last until the end of the month.
“It helps to be able to get eggs, milk and even hygiene items, so I can save money on those things,” Chelea said. “It always helps.”
The support she receives makes it possible for her to provide consistent meals for her children without worrying about running out of groceries.
“I am able to provide for them without having a shortage at the end of the month,” she said. “You can really make a lot out of what is provided from the pantries.”
For Chelsea, the Foodbank has offered her more than just groceries. As someone new to the area, she has found guidance and support through the Foodbank’s resource room, which helps neighbors connect with services beyond food throughout the community.
Chelsea says the experience has also changed the way she thinks about giving back. When she has extra items her family doesn’t use, she donates them to local food drives in the community.
Thank you for helping neighbors like Chelsea and her family.