Today a new neighbor shopped in our Food Pantry. She recently fled a dangerous, controlling marriage and had to start a life from scratch with a new name.
Because her relationship isolated her, she has almost no friends to turn to as she establishes her new life.
When she walked into the Food Pantry for the first rime, she froze in shock and struggled to hold back tears. All she could manage to say is, “It’s so much.”
As we walked through the Pantry together, she told me how she has to set an example for her two sons, both now young adults.
“I have to stay strong for them,” she said. “And I have to show them that I am still strong in my faith. After everything they’ve been through because of their father, it’s so easy for them to question God’s goodness. I have to show them that what happened is not from God; that He is good.”
She marveled at the amount of food she was able to receive, repeating “It’s so much” and “I feel so privileged” many times.
She asked me about the volunteers stocking the shelves. When I told her that over 100 volunteers serve in the Food Pantry every week, she was awe-struck.
“I can’t do much right now,” she said, “because I have to find a new job. When I find work and things are different, I want to give back.”
Welcome neighbor. I grew up in an abusive home at a time when there was nowhere a woman could go for help. My mother was stuck with 7 children. I am so thankful that Graceworks offers help and opportunities for families to have a safe and better life.