My childhood was filled with trips to churches, community centers, and other drop-off points for surplus food. I spent hours wandering and playing with toys at the Women, Infants, and Children center while my mother took nutrition and parenting classes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 20 percent of families in my hometown with children under 5 years of age lived below the poverty line. My family was one of them.
My father supported a family of four, with two on the way, on an income of $24,000 a year. My mother learned how to use coupons, plan for sales, and shop to provide cheap, healthy meals for her family. I ate a diet of canned, pre-packaged, and frozen foods, and my father worked a garden in our small backyard to provide fresh vegetables. I never realized the magnitude of our economic troubles; however, I know my childhood influenced me to always appreciate what I have.
My family still eats much like we did more than a decade ago. Everything my parents learned about nutrition, smart shopping, and available resources to low-income families, they learned from nonprofits and government programs. Therefore, everything I know about living a happy, healthy and independent life comes from these teachings. Little did I know, these events would mold my choices throughout life and encourage me to always help others.
Before joining the AmeriCorps VISTA program, I was making over $30,000 a year, paying less rent than I do now, and gaining weight by going out to lunch too often. I frolicked in the sunshine with my friends and never worried about my bank account. But at work, I was miserable. I worked as a sales assistant for a corporate organic produce company that provided the most ideal, consistent hours, free lunch 3 times a week, and great coworkers. But I wasn’t doing good things for the world and it left me empty.
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RVFB AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Jeanée Natov
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The AmeriCorps stipend I receive is purposely set under the poverty line, so those serving can experience first-hand how difficult it is to live in poverty. While working at Rainier Valley Food Bank, I not only want to help others gain access to healthy and plentiful food, I want them to take pride in their struggles. It is quite difficult to live such a frugal life, and if you can continue to laugh and love while working hard, you’ve done it right.
As Hunger Action week winds down, I wish all you other food stamp challengers the best of luck. Keep in mind that those who receive food stamps every month, only get the $7 per day (per individual) if it’s a month as long as February, and not on a leap year, and that’s if you’re lucky enough to receive the maximum benefit amount allowed each month. Many people who struggle to feed their families don't receive the maximum amount. We see them every week at the food bank. I'm glad we're here for them.
