A Mother’s Journey to Providing for Her Family

While she may not be wealthy in material things, one Mesa mother knows she is rich in love and family.

For Chelsea, life as a mom with several little ones is full of busy days and plenty of moving parts. But she wouldn’t have it any other way. Amidst the everyday chaos, she finds joy in the little things that make her family unique. One of her favorite parts of motherhood is seeing her children grow into their own person. No two children are alike. 

While motherhood has been rewarding, however, it hasn’t always been easy. With several young children at home, Chelsea made the decision to be a stay-at-home mother and care for them. It’s a choice that makes sense for her family. With only one car and the high cost of childcare, going to work could cost nearly as much as she would earn, even with her college degree.

Now, as the cost of living and grocery prices continue to rise, relying solely on her husband’s income to make ends meet has become challenging. While Chelsea does everything she can to make ends meet, sometimes there just isn’t enough money left in the budget for groceries.

“We’re working people doing the best that we can. We’re just not as fortunate as the other people who don’t need it,” Chelsea shared.

After realizing they simply could not keep up with the cost of living, Chelsea turned to United Food Bank and her nearest food pantry for support. She first learned about United Food Bank through her children’s school, which so happens to be a partner agency. Her children began receiving snack bags through the school. And when the family needed additional support, Chelsea started visiting Neighbor’s Pantry to help supplement their additional needs.

During one of her visits to Neighbor’s Pantry, Chelsea overheard a staff member talking about United Food Bank’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The conversation sparked her curiosity, and she decided to learn more. After connecting with United Food Bank’s SNAP Specialist, Chelsea discovered she qualified for assistance. And after several months of patience, persistence and many back-and-forth phone calls, her application was finally approved. 

What began as a conversation at the pantry became a meaningful experience that opened the door to other opportunities for her family. Now she can cook meals with her children, turning time in the kitchen into an opportunity to create memories together.

“Thank you so much,” Chelsea said with a bright smile painted on her face. “You gave me hope and determination when I was at a point of giving up.”

It’s easy to judge someone’s circumstances without knowing the full story. Chelsea knows that families like hers are sometimes judged for needing assistance. But by sharing her story, she hopes others will approach families facing similar challenges with greater compassion and understanding.  

“People are really trying. It’s just that the cost of living is going up, and people can’t afford it….We’re not taking advantage of food stamps. It’s something that’s helping us get through…We’re just like everybody else.”

What began as a search for food assistance at Neighbor’s Pantry became an opportunity to access additional resources she never realized possible. But most importantly, it meant she could spend less time worrying about how she would feed her children and more time enjoying being their mom.