Stories of Success

Maria had to retire from her job as a cashier at age 64 when diabetes and other health issues made it impossible for her to work long hours standing on her feet. She lives on a fixed income and struggles to pay the rent on her small apartment, which goes up every year even when her CalFresh (formerly ‘Food Stamps’) benefits and other forms of public assistance don’t. After several frightening visits to the emergency room, Maria knew she had to stop eating the processed foods that were making her condition worse and eat more healthily, but she didn’t know how she could afford to. 

A neighbor told Maria about a nearby food pantry that provides healthy food to low income people. Now Maria makes weekly trips to the pantry where she receives fresh produce, eggs, rice, beans, chicken and other nutritious foods at no cost and can use more of her income to pay her rent on time and have more housing stability. Most of Westside Food Bank’s food is distributed by pantries like the one Maria and other people struggling to meet their basic needs must turn to for access to nutritious food. Maria says, “the food I get from the pantry is literally saving my life, I would not be able to stay healthy without this help.”

Jamie grew up in South Central Los Angeles. With his mother, a single parent, working several jobs to make ends meet, and an undiagnosed mental illness, Jamie turned to the only available companions: drug dealers and gang members in his neighborhood. He started using and selling drugs as a teenager and spent several years going in and out of jail. He became homeless. To make ends meet and support his drug and alcohol habits, Jamie panhandled and committed petty crimes.

After being treated at a hospital for a near fatal stab wound, Jamie spent several weeks struggling to survive on the streets. Just when he was at his lowest, Jamie stumbled into a meal program at one of Westside Food Bank’s member agencies. “I was so weak, and so hungry that I was willing to do anything for a hot meal and a warm bed. I came to a realization. I knew I was going to die, sick and alone unless I got some help.”

The staff helped Jamie check in to a recovery program where he was given nutritious foods to bring his body back to health and treatment to overcome his addictions. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and began to receive treatment through a dual diagnosis program. Jamie spent 2 years at a sober living facility where he earned his GED, learned valuable job skills and enjoyed 3 square meals a day. He continues to receive treatment for his mental illness and is studying social work so that he can help others from his community lift themselves out of desperation and addiction. “Without the care and support I received from the Food Bank’s member agencies, I wouldn’t be here today,” says Jamie. “Thank you for the food, for my body and my spirit.”

Carole was fired from her job after filing a workers’ compensation claim for an on-the-job injury that left her temporarily disabled. Disputes and improper payments from her former employer caused her claim to take months to process. She began using her savings and her daughter’s child support payments to get by. When she realized that the savings were getting depleted and she would have to begin using her grocery money to pay rent and bills, Carole applied for CalFresh (formerly ‘Food Stamps’) assistance. She was denied government food assistance, though, because she had a small Individual Retirement Account that she was reluctant to cash out and pay significant penalties on. Carole considered selling her vehicle to obtain some emergency funds, but given her injury and the fact that her child has special needs, she realized that giving up her car was not a viable option. Carole had already cut out her phone, cable television and all other luxuries in order to reduce her spending.  

In desperation, Carole contacted Westside Food Bank and was referred to one of our member food pantries. “I have given to food banks and other charities in the past, and now I find myself in need,” she says. “It is hard to ask for help, but I must do what I can to keep food on the table for me and my daughter.” Carole was directed to one of Westside Food Bank’s member pantries, where she received emergency food assistance for the next few months until her claim was settled, her injury healed, and she was able to begin work for a new company.  

Now that Carole is back on her feet, she makes time to volunteer so that she can help others who are in need. She knows first hand how important food assistance is when the unexpected happens. “Without the food assistance I received from the food pantry, my daughter and I might have lost our home. I am so grateful for the people who were kind enough to get me through the most difficult time of my life.” 

Before he got help, Crosby was homeless and dealing with mental health issues. He also lacked access to his birth certificate and other paperwork he needed to legally find work. He found work as a nanny for a young boy, whose mother recommended that he seek food at a pantry. Through the pantry, he found his way to another one of Westside Food Bank’s member agencies; this time, a residential mental health treatment center. Crosby liked his independence, but he recognized that he needed help.

Crosby was able to benefit from mental health counseling and the stability of housing at the residential mental health treatment center. Social workers helped him access his birth certificate, and provided him with mental health services, vocational training, and a job working in the center’s kitchen. “Now I’m here, I have my birth certificate. I’ve been working here a year and a half. I’m in my first apartment ever. It’s a blessing. I’m thankful for first chances and second chances, and for beautiful people. Someone helped me, so now I help others.”

Maya worked as a maid to support her two children ages 2 and 6. She often found herself struggling to make ends meet, especially at the end of the month when rent was due. Sometimes she skipped meals so that there would be enough food for her daughters and enough money to pay the rent. Eventually, even that was not enough.

Faced with possible eviction, Maya asked everyone she knew where she could get some help. A friend told her about a local food pantry, one of Westside Food Bank’s member agencies, that gives food to low-income families. At first she hesitated, not wanting to ask strangers for help, but eventually her desire to feed her children won out and she applied for aid. She began receiving bags of groceries every week and no longer skipped meals.

Eventually, case managers assisted Maya in obtaining her equivalency diploma. She was able to enroll her youngest daughter in a free preschool program and received a grant to take classes at a community college. She obtained her associates degree and is currently working in a medical office while she trains to become a nurse. “I never dreamed that just going to get food could change my life forever,” says Maya. “I will always be grateful to the kind people who provided not only food, but the guidance and hope that helped me to make a better life for my children.”

Jacob was living on the streets for ten years, while managing mental health issues and physical disabilities. The biggest things he needed during his time without a home were food and shelter. As he explains, “Food first. You can’t move an inch if you don’t have any food in you. I’m telling you, when you’re out there, you’re starving. If you’re not fed, it’s impossible.”

Jacob found his way into a food pantry, whose staff directed him to a free health clinic. The clinician who treated Jacob recommended him for a transitional shelter with supportive services, including food, vocational training, and ongoing medical care. Jacob now has a handle on his mental health, is receiving ongoing treatment for his physical disabilities, and does not have to worry about where his next meal will come from.

Of the Food Bank, Jacob now says, “You are solely responsible for half the people’s problems out there being solved, because if you can come here and get a meal, and it be of quality, now you’re not hungry and you don’t have to do anything crazy on the street, you can go and lay your head down and start the next day. If it wasn’t for the food bank, we’d be in trouble. I know that’s true for thousands of people like me.”

Janelle hadn’t eaten in two days by the time she arrived at one of Westside Food Bank’s member agencies. She’d gone from a six figure salary to living out of her car. She was unable to continue paying her son’s college tuition, and used her last few dollars to go to a job interview on an empty stomach.

Janelle landed a new job at a Fortune 500 company, only to realize that she would have to hide the fact that she was homeless from her new employers, while fighting hunger so severe she could barely focus on work. Desperate to keep her job and get back on her feet, Janelle mustered the courage to finally seek the help she needed to get through the roughest time in her life. “I never thought I could find myself in such a desperate situation,” Janelle explains. “I was living off of scraps until I finally put aside my pride and asked for help.” She needed a hot shower, a healthy meal and a warm bed, all of which were provided.

Once Janelle saved enough to move into an apartment of her own, the free groceries she received from a food pantry helped her stay healthy while she rebuilt her life over the next few months. Janelle describes: “I felt joy and relief, moving back into my own home, and letting go of having to pretend that everything was ok because it finally is again. If it wasn’t for organizations like Westside Food Bank and the agencies they serve, I don’t know where I would be. I’m so thankful that I’m now in a position where I can finally give back to the organization that helps other folks who might be in a situation similar to what I faced.”

Kelvin was born in Hong Kong. His parents passed away when he was ten years old, and he was sent to America by himself three years later with $50 in his pocket. “When I came to the States I was totally on my own, and I did not know people who would help. In a way that made me really tough.” Kelvin was placed in an eighth grade class and bullied for his lack of English proficiency. There were no English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at that time, but nevertheless he learned a lot. “You learn to sit and hide and observe who is safe,” explains Kelvin. These were skills he would come to rely on later on in life.

After finishing high school, Kelvin worked hard and built a steady career. He was laid off, though, and after running through his savings, he ended up having to stay with friends. When they moved away, Kelvin had no support system. It took Kelvin six months to build up the courage to go to the Department of Social Services to apply for CalFresh benefits (formerly ‘Food Stamps’), and he ended up living in his car for almost three years. Kelvin says of that time, “You have no access to water, no access to electricity, no access to a bathroom. How did I eat? I had tricks. For three bucks I could get two burgers at McDonalds, and that lasted me a day. You just learn, you figure this out. It’s a new challenge.” 

Kelvin suffered throughout this time from severe depression. After a particularly difficult episode, Kelvin visited a free health clinic – a decision he claims saved his life, and which included free food assistance supplied by Westside Food Bank. His doctor, easily able to diagnose him with Major Depressive Disorder, referred Kelvin to an outpatient mental health clinic. He was therein given the opportunity to move into supportive housing and treatment at another of Westside Food Bank’s member agencies.

Years later, Kelvin is managing his depression in the agency’s residential program. He continues to appreciate the stability in knowing where his next meal will come from, and enjoys learning to cook in his apartment’s kitchenette. “People tell me ‘oh you’re so brave.’ But I am not,” admits Kelvin. “It’s survival instinct. I’m very proud of surviving what I’ve been through. No shame, no stigma. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, because money can only solve money problems. But three things are important, I always say: compassion, passion, and empathy. There are employees at each agency I visited who change people’s lives. I cannot say enough good things about them.”