Second Harvest Food Bank: Penny's Story

Penny is a divorced mother of two young daughters who has experienced hunger firsthand. During the process of divorcing her husband, Penny was forced to move to Lafayette to live with her sister. Her sister was her only support system, and she was grateful that she had opened her small home to Penny and her daughters. Penny knew that this living situation had to be temporary — only until she could make enough money to move her family into their own place.

Penny had no financial assistance from her soon-to-be ex-husband. Penny needed help, but only for a short time. She did not feel that food stamps were an option because she could not take the time off from work to apply for them. After all, she believed her situation was only temporary. She wanted to contribute to her sister’s household but needed every dime that she made.

One day, someone suggested she call Second Harvest Food Bank. Through Second Harvest, she found a local food pantry and got the food that she needed so desperately to feed her family. After a few months she was able to get on her feet and move into her own apartment. Penny received a hand up, not a hand out. Today, Penny is the owner of her own thriving business. She and her daughters are doing well.  

For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, please visit: http://no-hunger.org/.