At the age of 31, Connie’s life changed overnight. In the early hours of the morning, she received a phone call from her niece who asked her to pick her and her brothers up. Their mother was no longer able to take care of them and she and her siblings had been living in a car for 2 days without food or diaper changes.

Connie picked the children up and when CPS was informed, they told her that all her nieces and nephews would be separated through the adoption system. Separating her family was not an option for her, so she decided to adopt them.

She went from 0 kids to 5 kids overnight to keep her family together.

Worried about providing for 5 children – Ebony, age 15, David, age 12, Ethan, age 8, Gilbert, age 7, and Ramona, age 5. – and being a caretaker for a disabled uncle, Connie seeked assistance from the San Antonio Food Bank.

“All my priorities changed. I remember trying to apply for SNAP a couple years back, it was a strenuous process. In the end, my paperwork wasn’t approved. That’s when a friend told me that I could call the San Antonio Food Bank and they walked her through the process,” Connie said.

The Food Bank assisted Connie with her SNAP application and other benefit applications, as well as  provided her with a turkey and staple food items just in time for the holiday season. These services gave Connie hope for the holidays.

“I am a hard-working single mom. I graduated from school and am a nursing assistant. I work 40 hours every week, plus overtime, and raise my 5 adopted children. Everyone’s story is different,” Connie said.

The neighbors we serve face many different challenges.

Connie enjoys raising her children and views preparing dinner for them as the best part is making beautiful. Connie loves all her children and wouldn’t change her story in any way.

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