Author: TEAM ABOVO

Stricken with rheumatoid arthritis and advanced age, Matt Stubstad’s mother needs his full-time attention. Without serving as her primary caregiver, the alternative is that she be placed in a nursing home, which Matt doesn’t have the heart to do. Seeking needed food assistance through the Dorothy Day Food Pantry in West Fargo, a partner agency of the Great Plains Food Bank, has allowed Matt to continue to be the primary caregiver for his mother.

Mckenzie is quick to admit she doesn’t try to be a single mom to her special needs son, Zachary, all by herself. She leans on those close to her, including the Emergency Food Pantry, a partner agency of the Great Plains Food Bank, for help. Zachary is severely autistic with medical conditions that can make life for the small family difficult. Read about all those that have come to the side of the small family to help them get by.

A United States Army veteran, times get tough for Thomas Rude and his wife. Each struggle with medical issues and the couple sees their fixed income fall short at the end of most months. They find the Great Plains Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry provides a boost each time it stops in Rugby.

There are times when there is not enough food in the house to feed LoShay’s family of six. Both her parents work hard, but still struggle to put enough food on the table. A backpack LoShay receives each week from the Great Plains Food Bank helps supplement those times when food is scarce.

A father of four, Patrick Schmid and his wife were financially stable until the demand of too many years spent in physical labor took its toll on Patrick. Following two shattered hips and other physical ailments, Patrick became unable to work and began collecting disability payments, but the loss of income became too great. The family sought emergency food assistance while Patrick also went the extra mile in helping others.

Previously homeless, Murphy has learned the importance of balancing her finances on a limited income. And even with being frugal with her budget, she still falls short at the end of some months. Food assistance through the Great Plains Food Bank partner agency network has helped her stretch her income as far as she can.

Gardening has been a part of Harka Maya Monger’s life since birth in the country of Buhtan. Now the low-income family of five lives in Fargo where Harka’s local community garden has allowed her to continue gardening. This along with assistance from a Great Plains Food Bank partner food pantry allows the family the nutrition they need.

Financially, Tayla Henry was comfortable and able to provide for her two young kids. But that all changed the day her children’s father moved out and the now single mom struggled with food insecurity. She soon found a supplement for the loss of meals at the Emergency Food Pantry in Fargo, a partner agency of the Great Plains Food Bank.

Midway Public School serves a number of rural communities in east-central North Dakota. Many of its students and their families need to travel more than 20 miles to visit a grocery store. The addition of a school pantry has helped Midway fill a need for many of its students.

Due to difficult circumstances, Stephanie Ballou cares for three of her grandchildren and they are quick to understand that, “grandma doesn’t have enough money right now.” Thanks to her nearest Great Plains Food Bank partner food pantry, she is able to provide healthy food options for her grand kids.