In Texas, rural families often face higher rates of hunger because of the unique challenges of living remotely. These challenges include poor geographic access to healthy food, limited or unreliable job opportunities, and high rates of unemployment and underemployment. Many people living in these areas faced more significant hardship due to the pandemic’s impact on the economy. This was definitely true for Sandra.

Sandra has lived in a rural Texas town all her life. Raised within a close-knit family, being especially close to her mom, she was taught that her family should always be priority.

Sandra had a steady job working in the hospitality industry, but when the pandemic hit, like many in her industry, she lost her job. At the same time, her mother’s health declined and she was placed in the difficult position of taking care of her household. She secured another hospitality position, but four months into her new job Sandra lost her mom. She took 4 days off for bereavement and called her job to let them know she was ready to work again. At that time, she was notified that someone else fulfilled her position and she was let go.

After the loss of her mother and job, Sandra felt an immense strain on her well-being and finances. Having nowhere else to turn, a family member suggested she reach out to the Food Bank. Not believing that her small town had the same resources as urban cities, she was unaware that she could get that kind of help.

“You have no idea no how much I was struggling before I walked in to the Food Bank. I was born and raised here and I had no idea that the Food Bank existed,” she said.

The Food Bank provided Sandra not only with food, but with a position in Americorps that grew into a full-time job in the Food Bank’s kitchen.

“The Food Bank has helped me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Physically, because I get out of bed now with a purpose. Mentally, because I now feel like I have purpose again by fighting hunger and feeding hope. Emotionally, because my sadness dissipates when I serve others. It’s a beautiful feeling when you’re cooking food for children, the elderly, and veterans,” she said.

The Food Bank helped Sandra to build self-sufficiency coming out of the pandemic. Thanks to community support, we have been able to build our Food for a Lifetime program – which aims to lower unemployment and underemployment by giving our neighbors the knowledge and resources to become self-sufficient and gainfully employed.

Thanks to community generosity, our resources and programs can transform lives.