True Stories

Recession & Unemployment Change Family's Life

"I had everything. My boys were comfortable, I was comfortable." That's how Martha describes her life before everything changed and she needed to visit the food pantry at RI Center Assisting those in Need in order to feed her family.

"My life was very decadent before. We called out for dinner probably twice a week. We'd get Chinese delivered, or pizza. That was my life back in 2004 or 2005. I didn't have any worries, I could afford everything. It's incredible the change. I just don't have the money I used to."

A couple of years ago, Martha lost her job managing a large behavioral group home. Her husband has a part-time job and also works 30 hours a week at a golf club. But that's not year-round, and it's not enough to raise a family on.

Martha and her husband are constantly making choices when it comes to managing the little money they do have.

"My husband asked me 'Did you ever think you would have to choose between food and car insurance?' No I didn't. That's why I'm glad you guys are here. If I'm going to have to choose, I'm going to choose food - especially with children."

"Having to come here, it pretty much makes you feel like you're asking for a handout. But when you have children, you do what you have to do, you swallow your pride."

"The food I get here eases things for me. There was a time when I didn't come because I didn't have a car to get here. Those were hard times. It's a little better now, but still hard."

RI Center Assisting those in Need is one of more than 250 Food Bank member agency programs across the state. Through this network, the Food Bank helps more than 55,000 Rhode Islanders each month - a dramatic 45% increase since the end of 2007.