Shutdown emergency relief fund

I’ve been skipping meals to make sure my kids have what they need and was even planning to skip a credit card payment just to afford some staples for the week. When I got the email that the funds were available, I was thrilled! I spent some of the money on diapers for my twins. I’ve been on sick leave from work, and my next paycheck will be very small. That money came just in time—and I mean by hours.

When I got it I cried. It made things a little easier that day. I spent the money on food: milk, cheese, meat, noodles, corn, and rice. Since I already had the Propel app, it was easy to use. I appreciated receiving cash, because I know exactly what will feed my family and how to stretch it so my kids aren’t hungry. The support helped us get through without my boys going hungry. They were fed, and that’s what mattered.

I would visit food banks and try to pre-plan meals for the next day, just so I knew for sure the kids had food. But someone would skip meals just to make sure everyone else had eaten. I was so grateful for the cash, it helped us tremendously. I went to the grocery store immediately and bought food, mostly for my children. The sign-up process was fast and simple. It made a huge difference. We are extremely grateful that they did this.

After being homeless with four kids for two and a half years, we finally just got back into a place of our own. I rely on food stamps to feed the kids while I work full time, so losing that support is a huge inconvenience. Do I pay the bills and keep a roof over our heads, or do I feed the kids? No one should have to make that decision. I didn’t pay some bills this month because the food stamps were gone—my kids had to eat. Receiving the cash was a small weight lifted off my shoulders.

My biggest worry is how are we going to pay for food? We have to delay paying bills. It’s already hard trying to work when you have a special needs child and very little support system. I was very happy to receive the support. My youngest is turning 6 next week, so I bought some items so we can celebrate his birthday. Now he can have a cake. When you have kids, every little bit helps. Thank you so much. You don’t understand how big of a help it is to us.