Success Story

For Onesha, a single mom raising her six-year-old daughter, navigating daily challenges is an all-too-familiar experience. Unemployed and without a car, Onesha relies on public transportation, which often makes trips to local food pantries stressful and time-consuming—especially when juggling the demands of parenting.

“Transportation is a huge barrier for me,” Onesha shares. “I don’t drive, and public transportation can be unreliable. With my daughter, it’s hard to get around like I want. If I couldn't get my groceries delivered, I’d have to find a ride or take the bus, and sometimes that means standing outside in the cold with her.”

For several months, Onesha has turned to My Pantry Express (MPX) for help. MPX is an innovative program by Northern Illinois Food Bank that allows neighbors to order groceries online and have them delivered through DoorDash. This program has been a lifeline for Onesha, eliminating the transportation hurdle and giving her the flexibility to choose nutritious food for her family.

“Being able to order groceries online and have them delivered to my home has made such a difference,” she says. “It helps me get the food I need to make healthy meals for my daughter and me. Without it, I don’t know how we’d manage.”

In addition to MPX, Onesha also visits her local food pantries in Waukegan and Gurnee when she can. She’s grateful for the variety of programs provided by the Food Bank, including SNAP assistance, which helps her stretch her limited budget further.

“Not having enough money for groceries is very stressful. But with these resources, I can breathe a little easier knowing my daughter and I have what we need to thrive.”