Georgia
Shonda, an Atlanta pre-school teacher, remembers a few winters back when she and her two young children avoided using the living room during winters. It was the coldest room in their home, perpetually devoid of warmth as they tried to cut back on heating bills. During that challenging time, Shonda relied heavily on the goodness of her friends, begrudgingly borrowing money when she couldn’t afford to buy food for her children. It was the kind of predicament she never thought her family would have to face.
“You know, I sacrificed, I went to college….Why am I going, financially, through this?” she would often ask herself. While Shonda could never boast about living a luxurious life, the money she made as a teacher had been enough to send her daughter, Farri, to an after-school program that the little girl’s school ran. Things drastically changed for the family a few years ago when the new management at her pre-school made a few budgetary cuts. Shonda was left out of a job and in need of affordable daycare as she picked up temping jobs and submitted resumes.
A friend told Shonda about a reputable mixed-income after-school program that served snacks and dinner to kids for a small fee each month. The after-school program kept their costs low due the support and food they receive from the Atlanta Community Food Bank. While Shonda juggled utilities and other bills, her mind was eased knowing that Farri and Elijah would have a nutritious meal each night after their tutoring sessions at the after-school program – and that these features wouldn’t cost her an arm and a leg.
Now employed in a new pre-school and back in grad school for a counseling degree, Shonda is happy her kids have a safe place to play, learn and find a nutritious meal.
Find out more about the Atlanta Community Food Bank.