We met 68 year old Brenda at a food distribution at one of our Community Partners in Farmerville. In 2009, Brenda got into a car accident and had to have spinal surgery. Since then, she’s been disabled and has been using her retirement savings to pay medical bills.

“I worked all my life,” she said. “I never thought I’d be in poverty.”

But because of the accident, that’s exactly where she finds herself. She gets about $15 per month in SNAP benefits, but that’s not nearly enough to help her make ends meet each month. So she visits a food pantry in Farmerville.

“Some of what I get here I can’t buy. I get a lot of food that I really need that I wouldn’t be able to afford,” she said.

Because of the food she gets from the pantry, which works with the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, a member of the Feeding America network, she doesn’t have to make difficult decisions between food and her medication.

“I have about 10 medications I’m on because of my back injury,” she said. “When I run out, I wonder if I’m going to have enough money to just pay for those let alone for food.”

While Brenda continues to deal with the repercussions of her injury, she knows she will have enough to eat. And that’s because of the Food Bank.

“Without the food bank and the pantry, I’d be going hungry.”

Many of us are just one accident or life event away from needing help, and thanks to the support of our community, the Food Bank is able to be there for those going through difficult times.

Thank you for helping to provide food to our neighbors like Brenda! Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Donate. Volunteer. Give Food.

Need help with food? Click here to find the food pantry closest to you, or call us at 318-322-3567.