As it happens...

With the recent moves, and the fact that I've been essentially unemployed for the previous six months, and the fact that my rent has nearly tripled, and the fact that my job has me on a summer layoff... I am now penniless. As a single mom, I've been there and done that before. I coped as best I could, and usually managed fairly well. This time, however, I've had to turn to the food bank for help.

I've mentioned it before. Food bank fare can be less than apetizing, or in some cases not paricularly healthy. This time I have to say, I am proud of the donations made by the members of this community.

In my box, I found pasta and pasta sauce. I found canned meats, beans, soups, and crackers and cereal. I found variety of product, not variety of brand name. There was fresh milk, there were fresh eggs. There was even fresh vegetables available... Stuff that the grocery store would throw out was donated to the local food bank, and we could choose amoung lettuce, potatoes, plums, and apples.

I was even asked if there was anything in paricular that I needed. I asked for tomato juice or canned tomatoes and received both! What a blessing!

In these difficult times, where many are struggling to make ends meet, lets remember those that rely regularly on the food bank. Talk to your local grocery stores and restaurants... Maybe they can make fresh donations of produce still good to eat, but not necessarily marketable.

If you need to go to the food bank, know that you are not alone. There are people there from many backgrounds, and with many stories. Most of all, you will find a blessing there.

I know you have all made donations in the past, and I'm positive you will make donations again. From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you.