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.”