A Day in the Life: A Resilient Mother Battling Hunger with Strength & Love

(Editor’s Note: The following is the first in a 5-part series on the Faces of Hunger in Western New York. In 2024, Olean Food Pantry compiled a media campaign highlighting the varied struggles with food insecurity in our communities. The following is a more detailed peek into the life of resilient parents. While we would never directly identify pantry clients without their permission, we often see several hunger archetypes on distribution days.)

The morning sun rises over rural Western New York, but the day began several hours earlier for the Resilient Mother, a silent hero navigating the relentless challenges of food insecurity. Her life is a testament to love, sacrifice and determination, but beneath her unwavering strength lies a daily struggle that many never see.

Understanding the Real Struggles of People Battling Hunger

Morning: The Balancing Act Begins

The Resilient Mother wakes early, her mind already calculating. Before her children stir, she’s preparing breakfast: just cereal and milk, carefully measured to ensure there’s enough to last through the week.

She’s grateful for the reduced-price school meal program, knowing her children will have at least one nutritious meal during the day. She knows little of politics, but she pays close attention to the state budget deliberations each year, wondering when the Legislature will cut the program once and for all. She depends on it. So do most of her kids’ friends’ parents. 

At this point, she can’t fathom a reality without assistance. 

The pangs of hunger weigh heavily as she skips her own breakfast, choosing instead to sip on a cup of coffee. She’s learned to ignore the pain and discomfort; the nausea and grumbling stomach. Her children’s needs always come first.

Mid-Morning: Stretching Every Dollar

After walking her kids to school, the Resilient Mother heads to her part-time job. Though grateful for the income, it’s barely enough to cover rent, utilities and the rising cost of groceries. Her hours are limited. That’s because balancing work with childcare is a constant struggle. Every dollar counts, and she meticulously plans her budget, knowing that even a minor unexpected expense could tip the delicate balance.

By late morning, her thoughts are already on the upcoming trip to Olean Food Pantry. The pantry’s resources have become her lifeline, providing essentials she otherwise couldn’t afford. 

Afternoon: Facing Tough Decisions

Her part-time shift ends, and she heads to the pantry. The Resilient Mother selects fresh produce from the community garden and staples to fill her family’s pantry at home. She’s thankful for the compassionate staff and volunteers who never judge, offering her dignity and support in a time of need.

She feels gratitude – but also frustration. Hunger has forced her to make impossible choices, like deciding between paying the electric bill or buying groceries.

This mother doesn’t want to live like this. She would give anything for a better job. Every day she sees Facebook posts from local employment offices and vocational training centers for job-training programs. Participating would require quitting the job she does have. She wonders how well local decision-makers actually understand the struggles of average people.   

After the pantry visit, she picks up her children from school. Their excitement over the apples and strawberries she’s brought back brings a smile to her face. She’s determined to shield them from life’s harsh realities she faces. But she knows they’re growing up fast, and their questions about “why we don’t have more?” are becoming harder to answer.

Evening: Sacrifice & Strength

Dinner is a carefully crafted meal, a mix of pantry staples and fresh vegetables. She makes sure her children’s plates are full before serving herself. Tonight, she’ll eat whatever is left, a small portion compared to what she serves them. Hunger has become a constant companion, but her children’s well-being is worth every sacrifice.

As the evening winds down, homework and bedtime routines fill the house with a sense of normalcy. She tucks her children into bed with hugs and reassurances, promising them that tomorrow will be brighter. Once they’re asleep, she sits alone at the kitchen table, planning the week ahead. 

The weight of her responsibilities is overwhelming, but giving up is not an option.

The Bigger Picture: Hunger in Western New York

The Resilient Mother’s story is not unique. She represents countless families in Western New York who quietly battle food insecurity every day. 

Roughly 1 in 4 adults in Western New York faces hunger. The numbers are typically higher here in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties, where lacking resources and job opportunities leave thousands of families in severe poverty. For children, the reality is even harsher. Going to school on an empty stomach makes it harder to learn and build the foundation for a better life. Rising food costs, economic instability and systemic barriers make it harder for families like hers to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Olean Food Pantry’s mission goes beyond providing food. It’s about the community coming together to empower families with resources, dignity and hope. Programs like our Community Garden and partnerships with local farmers and grocers ensure that families have access to fresh, nutritious food. 

Donate today to help the cause.

A Day in the Life: A Resilient Mother Battling Hunger with Strength & Love
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