Sarah’s Story
July 2024
Closing The Summer Meal Gap
At the San Antonio Food Bank, we have witnessed this strain on the budgets of hardworking parents and individuals firsthand. Paying for groceries, covering childcare costs, and managing day-to-day expenses shouldn’t be as insurmountable as it is today. Our staff and dedicated volunteers are working diligently to fight hunger across 29 counties in Southwest Texas during this increased summer of need.
This is where your support makes a difference. Your generous gift to our Summer Meals for Kids campaign provides the resources needed to ensure that children in our community receive nutritious, no-cost meals and snacks throughout the summer and that families receive the grocery relief they need to thrive.
Despite their work ethic and sacrifices, Justin, a veteran, and his wife Sarah have found that even though both work full-time jobs with overtime, they continually struggle to make ends meet for their family of four during the summer. With minimum household income requirements that often exceed eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, working families like Justin and Sarah’s often fall into a household income gap where government resources are not accessible.
The Food Bank’s summer meals program has tremendously lightened their burden, as they access meal sites and food distributions for support. Although summer brings a different routine for their two daughters, the consistency of summer meals throughout the week has been a lifeline.
“During the summer months, both my husband and I change schedules dramatically. He works the night shift and I work during the day. This change accommodates the girls with less disruption,” Sarah explained. “The food provided by the Food Bank alleviates some of the financial burden, making it possible for us to cover other essential expenses.”
