At the end of each month, when bills are due and paychecks have stretched as far as they can go, one family in Devils Lake, North Dakota, turns to a place they know they can count on—Hope Center. As one of the Great Plains Food Bank’s partner food pantries, Hope Center is part of the charitable feeding network that works to ensure no one goes hungry.
The woman, who visits the pantry alongside her girlfriend and their five children, began coming to Hope Center a few years ago. With kids ranging in age from 2 to 17, making ends meet is a constant challenge. The pantry helps fill the gap during those tight weeks, guaranteeing there’s food on the table without having to rely solely on friends or family for help.
When asked if there are things they have to go without to make ends meet, she responded, “Yeah, a lot of stuff. Like kids having what other kids have or going to do activities with the kids.”
Still, they make the most of their time together. Hot dishes and Rice Krispie bars are family favorites, often cooked together in the kitchen to bring everyone around the table. These small moments of joy and comfort are what keep them going.
The family hopes to move within the next few years to seek better opportunities and stability, but for now, they are deeply grateful for the help they receive from their local pantry.
“Thank you, we really appreciate it,” she says simply but sincerely.
Food distributed by the Great Plains Food Bank makes its way to local food pantries like Hope Center, helping families like theirs have reliable access to the food they need each month.