Annalee Morán

 

My name is Annalee Morán and I came because I needed help with my recertification for food stamps. I have a disability, so paperwork is really hard for me. Jenny has been so helpful from the food bank to just ask me the questions verbally, and it’s a lot easier than for me to try to read it and figure it out. Before we had food stamps, my son and I, we ate beans and tortillas which is really inexpensive and were able to subsist on that. But not being able to have fresh fruits and vegetables really makes a difference in the level of energy that you feel in your body, and the sense of well-being.

 

So one day when I went to the farmer’s market with my mom, I saw an advertisement for food stamps, CalFresh, and I thought it’s worth a try. I didn’t know if we were eligible or not. So I came down here then, and they did everything for me. Still, we have to be careful about budgeting, but we’re able to eat a lot more healthfully now.

 

You know, as I look, there are already people waiting to be served. And yesterday there was a long line, too. I think River City Food Bank serves a great need, and I can only speak for myself, but I have a B.A. from a major university. I’m well-educated. I have been disabled for a long time, but I was married for 22 years and raised four children. You know, I’ve been in this situation where I couldn’t feed myself and my son so I’m sure there’s people from all walks of life, you know, that go through hard times and really rely on the generosity of other people to provide for basic needs.