All Heart No Barriers: Amy’s Story

HCM has been working to provide food to those who need it in the community. We have already provided enough food to feed more than 41,000 people this year alone, and today, we would like to introduce you to one of those people - Amy Colbert. Amy is a mother, wife, and a dedicated supporter of her community. She is an active volunteer at the HART community theatre, and she has always dreamt of becoming an actress. However, due to her disability, Amy and her husband have fallen on hard times.

When their rent increased; they had to leave their home and move into a small camper, they initially depended on cheap and unhealthy foods that had little to no nutritional value. They were also receiving only $50 a month on food stamps, which was not enough to provide for their family. Amy, needing to rely on her community during this difficult time, found it challenging to gain access to food banks. She had to provide proof of residence, and that made it difficult for her to get the food she needed.

Amy said, "I used to cook three meals a day, and I loved providing food for my family. It was really hard when I was no longer able to do that. It got to a point where we had to decide between bills or food.” She felt embarrassed when she first sought out help from her community, but now she is proud of herself for asking for help. She wants people to know that downsizing, going to a local food pantry, or asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. Rough times can happen to anyone, and taking care of yourself and your family in any way that you can is the most important thing.

Then she heard from a friend about HCM, a place that respects privacy, provides food and support, fresh produce, and meats, and does not ask for any favors in return. She was nervous but decided to come to our food pantry anyway. The first time she went to our office she noticed a few important pieces of HCM, "It was amazing how much HCM respects privacy. All I had to do was give my name and the number of people in my household, and I was able to immediately gain access to amazing food. I got fresh produce, fruits, meat, dairy, and vegetables." She felt a sense of relief and safety when she knew she would be able to afford bills and have grocery supplements that not only kept their bellies full but also provided important nutrition for her and her family.

Thanks to the support of HCM, Amy and her family were able to get the food they needed to stay healthy and nourished. She said, "I don't know what we would have done without your help. HCM is a blessing and lifesaver for us." HCM is grateful for the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people like Amy and her family. We hope that our efforts continue to inspire others to seek out help when they need it and to support their local organizations in any way that they can.

We enjoy hearing inspiring, positive, and hopeful stories like Amy's and encourage anyone able, to volunteer, donate, or contact us to share your story too.