How Impact Foundation supports families facing food insecurity
By Sabiya Neuman and Lilli Baker
“You never think it’s going to be you until it actually is.”
That’s what Jamie, a single mom of two, says she wishes more people knew about food insecurity. There are many people like Jamie who struggle to provide for themselves and their families. According to Feeding America, 1 in 5 children were at risk for hunger in 2022. Single-parent homes are more likely to be food insecure since they only have one income to rely on.
But there are organizations to help. Impact Foundation provides food, clothing, and household items to families in the York Suburban School District. Their motto is “Students helping students.” There are over 50 students who volunteer to pack and distribute supplies to families in need each week.
Distributions take place every other Thursday. Right now, Impact Foundation serves nearly 80 families. Within those families, there are around 120 children.
One of those families is Michelle’s. She has five kids. She used to worry at least once a month about having enough food to feed them. But Impact Foundation has made it easier.
“This place is great. They give you a lot of stuff and it’s not all unnecessary stuff, it’s stuff you definitely use. I don’t have to worry. They even give me some easy stuff for the older kids if they get home and I’m not home that they can fend for themselves.”
Billie agrees. She’s a single parent with three children. She says that she and her family have benefited from Impact Foundation.
“They do help me because in tough times where I’m sitting there and I’m wondering if I’m able to get certain things, at least I can get it from here, you know, basics. Usually when you buy groceries and stuff like that you try to find stuff that goes a long way. But, you know, sometimes it just doesn’t last, especially when you have three kids, growing kids, that one week they eat one apple and the next week they eat a dozen.”
Danica Landolt-Huse is the student president of Impact Foundation. She explains what she wishes her classmates knew about the organization.
“There are ways for them to help. They don’t have to be a member of Impact Foundation.”
Students can donate to the donation bins at the school or in their neighborhoods. There will also be a fundraiser at MOD Pizza in February, where anyone can help just by buying pizza. She says small things like that make a difference.
And while Impact Foundation benefits struggling families, Danica also believes volunteering and helping out can benefit students.
“Working with Impact Foundation has opened my eyes to how much need there is in our community and how you can go to a class and see that someone next to you has food insecurity and you might not know it.”
Gina Trimmer is the adult advisor of Impact Foundation. She explains how working with Impact Foundation has also affected her personally.
“I have such a passion for helping people that it’s become a second job for me, which I love to do. And I try not to complain. But I see the smiles on everyone’s faces. And when they pull up and I know that they have these needs, it’s what motivates me to keep going.”
She wishes that more people were aware and shared the same motivation as her.
“I think if they truly knew that the person that they’re looking at right now probably has an issue, they might be a little more compassionate with them and be willing to help more.”
Feeding America found that in 2021, over 35,000 people in York County were food insecure. Billie has a message for other families who may be struggling.
“You shouldn’t be ashamed of it. It’s hard. It really is. Especially when you sit there and you just need something to eat. Everyone deserves to have food. It’s not a thing that people should really go through. You know, water, food and shelter should be automatic for everybody.”
I’m Sabiya Neuman, and I’m Lilli Baker, and this is Trojan News.