Hunger Pains During COVID-19

Grethel, KY

Families across the country continue to struggle with hardships caused by the Covid crisis.

Jessica said, “The Coronavirus has really taken its toll on our family. We hadn’t been any farther than our yard for like two full months. You’re worried, ‘Are we going to get sick?  Are we staying safe enough? Are we sanitizing enough?’ My little ones especially they want to go to Nanny’s, they want to go to Mawmaw’s, and they’re missing them. We do what we gotta do until all this stuff is over.”

Along with isolation, Jessica’s constant fear of getting sick, there’s the added stress of providing food for her children. 

Jessica explained, “It’s hard, especially with four children, keeping them home all the time, feeding them completely three meals every day, because, you know, you’re used to school feeding them twice. It’s hard on us. We kind of stick to ourselves and try to make the best of it.”

Jessica’s husband hurt his back a few years ago and can’t work.   On a fixed income, sometimes it’s hard to make ends meet.

“It is a time that we are basically all in need,” said Jessica. “So, it was hard that we had to pick and choose what did we actually really need to get, what could we afford to get, and sometimes we had to do without.”

Through the school, they receive food from a local ministry that partners with Operation Blessing. 

Jessica said, “God didn’t promise us that bad things wouldn’t happen.  He promised that He would be there to take care of us.  When we really need it, when we’re really down and things are kind of getting tight, we know we’re going to eat, there’s something there. Sometimes, it’s the difference of a child going to bed hungry and not.”

Jessica and her family are grateful for Operation Blessing partners who make it all possible.

Jessica said, “You gave to me when I needed it, so that hopefully I can get back up on our feet and my kids say, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’”