Nourished with Love

Writer Michael Vyskocil

Photographer John Williams

With these five faces — Tamaya, Alyssa, Isayah, LaRiyah, and Jeremiyah — Heather* considers herself blessed to be surrounded by the loves of her life. For Heather, single parenthood brings its share of joys and struggles. The struggle to provide enough food to feed her children ranks high among them.

Seated inside her York City home, Heather describes the challenges of feeding her children on a limited income. While her children may be on summer break from school, hunger doesn’t take a vacation. No school means no access to free or reduced school breakfast and lunch programs during the summer.

That’s where the York County Food Bank becomes a critical resource for parents like her and close to 50,000 residents across York County, including 17,000 children, who don’t have a consistent supply of and access to nutritious foods — especially during the summer. Through the York County Food Bank’s network of nonprofit partner agencies and its own food distribution programs such as Food For Families and the Emergency Food Voucher Program, Heather and families like her receive pantry staples, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, meats and more.

These food items become the ingredients that go into the food Heather prepares for her children. Sweet corn, yams, strawberries, waffles, chicken nuggets, cereal, peanuts and mashed potatoes with gravy all get their votes.

Here’s where you can help the York County Food Bank ensure families like Heather’s family have enough food on their tables this summer — Hunger Free Mondays. Bring a nonperishable food item to PeoplesBank, home of the York Revolution. You’ll receive a complimentary ticket to a free Monday night York Revs baseball game this season. Mark your calendars for July 22; August 5, 19, and 26; and September 16 to participate.

For Heather, the generosity of the York County community enables her to nourish her family with love.

“It makes me feel good to know that my kids can get fed,” she says. “I feel good that there are people who care. I always tell my kids to be thankful, to be grateful and to try to help out others when you can.”

*To ensure personal privacy and security for the individuals featured here, YRK has used only their first names in this story.

YRK PERSPECTIVES:

How is the York County Food Bank positively contributing to the culture of York County?

“Culture simply cannot flourish in a hungry community. It is our mission to offer a safe, all-inclusive place where people from all walks of life can get the sustenance they need to thrive and do their part in curating the values and standards that support our vibrant culture here in York County.”

— Michael Fox, Development and Communications Coordinator, York County Food Bank

Hunger Free Mondays

254 W. Princess St. York, PA 17401
717.846.6435

Originally Appears in Issue 25
Page 10

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