• Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

her Heart stirs

Just a mom living a crazy and blessed life

  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Clean Living
      • Beautycounter
    • Health/Fitness
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Family
    • Being Mama
    • Friends Are Family Too
    • Marriage
    • Pets
  • Faith
    • Charities
    • Faith Journey
    • Saving the Unborn
  • Deep Talk
    • Girl Talk
    • Grateful Heart
    • Life Lessons
    • Mental Health
      • Alcoholism
      • Anxiety
      • My Mom
  • Favorites
    • Clean Beauty
    • Household
    • Stuff I Bought & LIked
  • beautycounter

Charities Deep Talk Faith Life Lessons Mental Health My Mom

I Know What it Feels Like to Need a Food Bank

When I was a child, I was raised by a single mom with no college degree. She worked as a teacher’s aide in a special needs school. Her salary was not much, but it provided us with health/dental insurance and it allowed my mom to have the same hours as me so she did not need after-school child care. Eventually, once I was old enough, my mom worked a second job, as an after-school nanny. She would go straight to her second job of the day, from her first.  Even with working both of these jobs, along with some child support money from my dad, we lived below the poverty line throughout most of my childhood.

We were blessed that she was able to raise me in a safe suburb, thanks to family. In the early part of my childhood, we lived with my grandparents and then later we moved into a small 2-bedroom home, on my aunt and uncle’s property. They really saved us, in that my mom paid very little rent to them in order to have a roof over our heads.

Unfortunately, needs don’t stop with shelter. Money was tight all of the time. Food was often last on our list when paying the bills. Other bills like heat, electricity, water, and gas had to come first. Because all these expenses had to come first, there were many times I would look in our fridge, and find nothing but a little bit of milk, butter, and a few eggs.

My mom would try to work the system the best she could, as she lived paycheck to paycheck. She would grocery shop on a Wednesday, knowing there would be no money in her account to cover it until Friday— she would post-date her check and we would stand in the checkout lane, praying the cashier wouldn’t notice. I can remember that feeling of shame and worry very distinctly. We knew it was wrong, but we were also desperate. You wished you didn’t have to do this, but if you didn’t there wouldn’t be much food for a few days.

Over the years, my mom was able to enroll in government programs, like the Free Lunch Program for me through school and Food Stamps for our groceries. Both of those were humiliating to me as a kid, but I knew it was necessary and that my mom was doing the best she could for us.

“Free-Lunch” school tickets were a different color than the “paid” lunch tickets back when I was in school. (Why on earth they would do this to kids is unimaginable to me.) I remember standing in line at school, doing my best to hide my ticket so my peers couldn’t see that I was “one of those kids”. Every time I got in the school lunch line, I was stressed. I would watch very carefully to make sure I was in line with kids I didn’t know. I never wanted to stand with kids I knew because then they would know I was poor. If someone I knew happened to get in line behind me, I would make up an excuse to get out of line and then try again to get lunch later when that student had moved on. Thank God, schools do a better job now of providing privacy for free-lunch kids than they did back in the ’70s and ’80s.

Grocery shopping was also humiliating when we had to pull out food stamps in front of other shoppers and the cashier. Using food stamps, was a lot like the colored free-lunch ticket, anyone around you knew that you were using them. I couldn’t bear to watch the pity or judgment on the other shoppers’ faces, so I would immediately head to our cart and pack up our groceries, making zero eye contact. I remember being ashamed of myself, for letting my mom stand there alone while she paid with our stamps. I basically hid, while she carried the burden of “yes we are those people” on her own.

Once I was in high school, my mom discovered local food banks. These were a lifesaver to us, as food stamps only go so far. My mom knew when and how often she could go to them as there are rules so people do not take advantage. Eventually, once I could drive, she would have me go on my own to pick up food. My first experience at a food bank was at a local church. I walked up to the church office window and in front of a number of strangers, I had to explain why I was there. (Once again—humiliating.) I think the woman was surprised to see a teenager there, but I explained that my mom had sent me. She gave me a look of pity that was both sweet and devastating. She ended up being very nice and walked me to the elevator that took us to the basement of the church, where the donated foods were kept. She gave me a few brown paper bags and told me I could fill the bags with whatever food I could fit into them. She stood there and watched me as I made my choices. I remember feeling both thrilled at the idea of all this free food but also completely and totally embarrassed. I thanked the woman, loaded my car with the groceries, and began my drive home. I made a promise to myself that day during my car ride home. I told myself that one day, I would build a life for myself where I didn’t need food banks and that once I did, I would purchase multiple bags of food and take it right back to that same church food bank. That was the only way, I could make myself feel better about having to go there that day and in the days ahead when my mom would ask me to go.

A few months after I was married, I fulfilled that promise to myself and went to the grocery store and bought bags full of groceries to take back to that very same church. I was now teaching full time and my husband Scott had a good job as well. It was definitely one of those full-circle moments for me. I remember walking into that church with tears in my eyes, knowing how far I had come. I was grateful for the help they had provided for my mom and me, and I was also grateful that I could now afford to give back.

Right now, Food Banks, need more help than ever. I share my story with you today, in hopes that you may better understand the type of people who need the help of these places and what it means to them. Nobody wants to go to a food bank, nobody wants to be on food stamps, but sometimes life gives us no other choice. I am sure there are people in food bank lines today who never thought they would end up there. They are moms and dads trying to provide food for their family, along with paying all the other bills of everyday life.

If you are fortunate enough to have a job, money in the bank, and food in your belly, please consider donating to your local food bank today, if you haven’t already. People need our help. Here is a link to a local food pantry in my county if you live nearby. https://www.waukeshafoodpantry.org/get_involved/give/donate_food/. If you are in a different area, just google your city or county’s local food banks. You will have no idea how much it means to each and every family who need the extra help right now.

XO- Kerry

 


10 Comments

Contact Us

Contact us

Subscribe

Bring joy to your inbox!

Previous Post: « We Are Not Parenting Alone
Next Post: 3 Home Organizing Must-Haves from Target »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy McLees (geisenheimer) says

    May 25, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    Had no idea Kerry, you hid everything well! Such a beautiful and well written blog. Thanks for sharing – it is truly inspiring. Hope all is well.

    Reply
    • Kerry says

      May 27, 2020 at 2:06 pm

      Hi Kathy! Thanks so much for checking out my blog and for your kind comments. It means a lot to me to know that people are reading it and getting inspiration from it. So thank you for taking the time to comment.XO!

      Reply
  2. Laura says

    May 15, 2020 at 11:41 pm

    Thank you for sharing your difficult story. I am sure it was a painful one to tell. Thank you for the reminder to count our blessings and then pay it forward. We truly have so much. I love a quote I heard the other day about Covid. “We are all in the same storm, but we’re not all in the same boat.”

    Reply
    • Kerry says

      May 16, 2020 at 10:11 pm

      We truly do have so much, it is amazing how blessed we are! XO!

      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    May 15, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    Kerry—thanks for this post. Even though my family never used food stamps or food banks, I can relate to the embarrassment of never having what the other kids had. My parents moved to an affluent area for me to be able to go to a better school but that meant I was always comparing myself to families that had more material things. I also remember my parents having long, stressful talks about money in voices too loud for my young ears. Today I’m grateful for this past and the perspective it gives me. Blessed!

    Reply
    • Kerry says

      May 16, 2020 at 10:12 pm

      Absolutely Michelle! I worry for my kids because they have it so good, and I feel like I learned so many amazing lessons when I was young from not having what others around me had. Thank you for sharing a few your struggles in your comment, as it is always good to feel understood. XO!

      Reply
  4. renee schultz says

    May 15, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, Kerry! Thank you also for including the link to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. I visited the site and want to contribute. Great reminder that hunger exists everywhere.

    Reply
    • Kerry says

      May 16, 2020 at 10:14 pm

      Oh Renee, thank you for checking out their site. I agree that hunger is everywhere. I think people would be surprised to know how many families here in Brookfield struggle financially…especially during these times.

      Reply
  5. Heather Dreske says

    May 14, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    Thank you Kerry for your insight; and I hope more food banks and stamps would happen w dignity. My family had a restaurant when I was young and we ate dinners at my grandparents in Greendale when we lived in EG at least 3 times a week … at the time I didn’t know it was bc we couldn’t afford food and my mom also floated checks …

    We are never as alone as we feel in those moments – and I will say Yangs freedom dividend ( not to take political ) just observational has never looked more appealing – which it does just that to remove shame and embarrassment.

    Thank you for sharing your story ; no one in this country should go hungry .

    Reply
    • Kerry says

      May 15, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Thank you for your commenting Heather! I am sure there are lots of us, who remember tough times growing up. One thing that does is gives us empathy for others. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Oh, hi there!

Hey Y'all- Haha...I am not southern, but if there was any southern term I would love to be able to get away with using it is "y'all". It is just so welcoming, fun and casual-all things I love! Read More…

Stay updated!

Bring joy to your inbox!

FOLLOW!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest on Instagram

Chloe’s first Homecoming with her besties. Chloe’s first Homecoming with her besties.
Come say hi to Scott and I if you are at the Brewe Come say hi to Scott and I if you are at the Brewers game today!! We are working the concessions stand at section 117. Buy your food from us and a large portion of the money you spend will go to Friends With Food, food pantry in Waukesha.
So my back to school pictures are a little late as So my back to school pictures are a little late as I was waiting on all 3 kids to get settled. 

Chloe started high school last week. 

Lyla started her sophomore year of college at LIM this week in NYC.

 Nate is graduated and already working in Tax at KPMG in Chicago. The skyline pictures are the view from Nate’s new “real adult” apartment we moved him into this week. I didn’t get any pics of him in his new place yet but thought I would share his cool views.
Still can’t believe our baby will be in Highscho Still can’t believe our baby will be in Highschool next year.
The Potentials killed it last night at Saloon On C The Potentials killed it last night at Saloon On Calhoun! 

Don’t miss their show at Summerfest on July 2nd. 12:45 P.M. Showtime.
We have these two Broadway tickets for tonight’s We have these two Broadway tickets for tonight’s CATS show at the Marcus Center for sale. Excellent box seats. Over $100 per ticket. Will sell for $50 each. Fun spur of the moment date night anyone? Can forward to you digitally.
This video of Chloe is the Mother’s Day gift tha This video of Chloe is the Mother’s Day gift that keep giving to me year after year! 🤣 

Happy Mother’s Day to all you hard-working, selfless, and amazing moms out there. 💐💕
Our first birthday we won’t get to celebrate you Our first birthday we won’t get to celebrate you in person @lylawendelburg. This isn’t easy for a mama but we could not be more proud of you out there in NYC, chasing down your dreams. You have already shown what a hard-working college student you are. We know your future is very bright because you are an incredible young woman. We love you SO very much! Happy 19th Birthday to you, sweet Lyla Bean. ❤️🎉
When your flower girl grows up to be one of the mo When your flower girl grows up to be one of the most beautiful and strong women you know!

Happy Birthday @britt3sco! I love you SO very much. You have blessed our family in countless ways.

The integrity, love, perserverance, maturity, and bravery you show on a daily basis are beyond words! We are in awe of the woman you have grown into and treasure all of our fun times together. We can’t wait to make more memories with you, Anthony and the kids. You are an amazing mom, wife, and friend! 

Enjoy your special day. You deserve every ounce of happiness!
Follow on Instagram

Currently Loving

Currently Reading

Kerry’s Beautycounter Website

Charity Highlight

Summer Bible Verse

Post Archives

Terms and Conditions    Privacy Policy    Contact Us

Bring joy to your inbox!

Footer

You might also like

Our Version of the Couple’s Retreat

My Top 5 Books I Read in 2021

Life and Death: What a Wild Combination

Ready to Launch

My Top 7 Tips for Reading the Bible

Copyright © 2023 Her Heart Stirs · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsOKAY
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT