Jessica

Five-year-old Brecklyn is a big fan of summer. Between building forts with her mom, Jessica, and long rides on her bicycle, there’s rarely a lack of fun things to do.  

Thanks to friends like you, Brecklyn and her big brother will have nutritious food to fuel the fun summer days ahead. That’s because their mother can visit a Food Bank of Iowa mobile pantry in Norwalk, near their home.  

Jessica shared that in addition to Brecklyn and her son, 17, her 74-year-old father now lives with them so Jessica can help care for him. He was diagnosed with oral cancer.  

“Things can happen to change a family,” Jessica said. 

One of her son’s teachers told her about the food pantry after learning the family might need a little extra help from time to time. For instance, Jessica’s rent has increased at least $85 each year (with no improvements to account for the increase). 

“Rent is high,” she said. “It’s hard to get a good meal.” 

Jessica is especially grateful for the fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, chicken, eggs, turkey and salmon she picked up at the food pantry. She said she enjoys cooking with Brecklyn and looks forward to making meals with the ingredients she received. 

Thank you for joining us to make sure families and neighbors of all ages have ongoing access to plenty of nutritious food, all summer long!