Making Difficult Choices
Raeann's Story
“I taught my older [son] how to get up into dumpsters and get food,” says Raeann, who visits one of Food Lifeline’s member food banks. Being homeless with two young boys was difficult, she says, “but you have to eat. You have to have food—it’s a basic need.” Her sons are grown now and she has three grandchildren, and although Raeann is married, has a job and a place to live, she still depends on a local food bank to help her get by.
Homeless at age 16, Raeann learned to adapt to her surroundings. She slept in a car or abandoned buildings during the day and got food however she could. Her sons were separated from her when they were young—one had to be put up for adoption and the other was put into the foster system because of health issues and Raeann was unable to provide healthcare for him. Eventually, Raeann got to the point where she had money for rent, but not for food, she says. “I started using the food bank as often as they would let me [come]…I was treated like a human being and I was given an opportunity. To have to stand in a food bank line is hard.”
Raeann loved the people and environment at the food bank so much that she began volunteering there in 1999 when she could. “The people working at the food bank treat you like ‘it’s not your fault,’ and they seem to work there because they really want to help.” She said she felt like she was giving back to them for helping her by volunteering. “If there is ever a way to help…I’ll do it…One person can really make a difference.”
The food bank will always have a special place in her heart, she says. She hopes to be able to look at what she learned through all the struggles in her life and maybe help somebody else. “You have to eat. You’ve got to have food and good nutrition to get out of a cycle…when you walk in [to a food bank] know that because you are a human being, you need to eat so you can get the strength and the ability to [get through].”
Because of your support of Food Lifeline, we are able to continue providing food and supplies to the food bank Raeann visits and volunteers at on a regular basis. Thank you for helping Food Lifeline and for helping Raeann break the cycle in her life.