Brittany exudes a quiet calm as she talks with other food recipients in the sanctuary at Community Bible Church, a pantry within the Foodbank's network in Portage County. She’s been coming to the church’s food pantry for the past four months after hearing about it from a friend who attends church there.
At the mere age of 26, Brittany seems mature beyond her years and it’s because she’s experienced more heartache than most people her age.
“I never thought I’d be in a situation where I need help,” she explains. “I have a full-time job, but most of my money goes to rent, bills and childcare.”
It wasn’t always this way for Brittany. She was married with two children, living on two, full-time incomes, with not many financial concerns. Then her youngest child died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and eventually her and her husband got divorced. She’s now a single mom having a hard time making ends meet.
At first, she didn’t realize she could utilize the pantry. “I felt guilty. I’m not homeless; I didn’t want to take food away from people who really need it.” But at the end of the month, when her bills are paid, Brittany now has one less thing to worry about because of the help she receives from the pantry.