Success Story

Last January, my kids and I moved back to our vacant home in Monte Rio after being away for two years. I didn’t have a job, our water was shut off, our propane was empty and we had one small space heater.

By the grace of God, week after week got better and better. Our neighbor offered to turn our water back on, a friend filled our propane tank, and side work allowed me to purchase a better heater.

We utilized the Redwood Empire Food Bank weekly in Monte Rio and monthly in Occidental. We were treated with dignity and kindness every time. There were times that our entire meal was prepared with food from the food bank. We prayed and blessed every meal. We were overcome with gratitude.

Since those cold and rainy days in January, things have changed significantly. I was hired full-time with the county, all three of my kids have thrived at school, and my oldest child got a summer job.

We are eternally grateful to the food bank. I shudder to think of how we would have survived the long winter. The kindness and dignity you showed us will be with us forever. I look forward to getting to a place where I can pay it forward and donate my time and energy to helping distribute food. Thank you.

Love,
The Lancasters