As a single mother, Maria struggled to juggle work, childcare, and making ends meet. Grocery shopping with her energetic toddler was stressful enough, but the real challenge was affording the basics. When she learned about the food pantry at Compass Early Learning Center, where her son attended, she hesitated to ask for help but was relieved when she finally did.
The staff at Compass were kind and understanding. Maria could discreetly place her grocery order in the morning when she dropped off her son. When she picked him up later in the day, her grocery order of fresh produce and staples awaited her. “It’s hard to explain how much something like that means to people,” Maria says, her voice catching as she reflected on the support. “No one here has ever made me feel like a burden or that I was asking for too much. They treat me with so much respect.”
For Maria, the food pantry wasn’t just about groceries but dignity and hope. It meant providing for her son without the overwhelming stress, knowing she wasn’t alone. “Thank you,” Maria says. “You don’t realize how much these programs really mean to families like mine. MCUM has been the most instrumental organization for me personally. It’s helped shape the way we live our lives. I’m just so grateful.”
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