Food Bank

Written for https://fivedotoh.com/2023/07/30/fowc-with-fandango-arrive/

To arrive at her decision was a difficult one, but getting another job was the only way she was going to make ends meet. She was already cleaning in the morning, and while her children were at school. Life wasn’t easy, but with her mum’s help at least they would have a warm meal inside of them.

Her mum never said as much, but family helped when money was short. She remembered her Nanny looking after her. Mum worked shift hours, so they could share the parenting. Life, and going without was always something she wanted to avoid. Tom did his best, but they hardly saw each other; apart from a passing comment as they left the house.

‘I went to Tesco, brought a few bits with the kids,’ her mum said.

‘You didn’t have to . . . I was going there today.’

‘Your cupboard was empty, I couldn’t find anything, besides I know what it is like.’

‘But you’re only on a pension.’

Her mum gave a wry smile. ‘But I don’t have much to spend it on and if I’m here, we need to eat. If you’re struggling, please don’t be scared to let me know.’

‘Normally we would be okay,’ Sam lied, not sure why her mum would think any less of her.

‘We’ve all been there, and there is nothing you should be ashamed of. If that means you go to a food bank, then go to one. You are not the only one, and the rest, we help each other out.

She looked in her fridge, for once full, maybe not the most expensive, but at least for a week she didn’t have to worry about shopping; she could pay the rent instead.