"Neighbors Helping Neighbors"
Stories of Gratitude
Twenty-five Emerson Elementary students made us "thank you" cards to let us know what receiving a weekend care package means to them and their families. Some write how they share what little food they receive with their family members, or that receiving the care package has helped them save money to buy a house. They all contain touching sentiments and we are proud to have played a positive part in the lives of these children.
We take the privacy of all recipients very seriously, but through former SySTEM School principal, we are able to share two anonymous family stories of appreciation:
One of our high needs families consists of nine family members living in a one- bedroom residence. The head of the family is a single parent who struggles to make ends meet. Her oldest child is in high school and works part time to help provide for the family because their mother has frequent health issues that prevent her from consistent work.
​
Her child in middle school relies on our free breakfast, lunch, and snack for his main meals each day. Knowing that holiday meals and weekend food is provided by Caring Coalition has been a game changer for the family, as they no longer stress about how they will feed their family on the weekend or for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
​
They have expressed extreme gratitude for the weekend meals provided by Caring Coalition and their middle schooler’s attendance has actually improved as he knows he will be getting a bag of food on Friday afternoons.
Another one of our families has seven family members living in a two-bedroom residence. The mother had a new baby this past year so she must stay home to care for the baby plus their toddler, which leaves the father to hold down three jobs to pay their bills while their other three children are at school.
​
They have one working car and with their father working seven days a week it is difficult to find time and money to buy groceries.
​
The family has been so grateful to know that food is available on Friday afternoons for them to take home, as well as meals for the holidays.
