Gillian’s Story* “I wanted to tell my story of how I’ve been supported by Oasis. Two years ago I found myself in this not very familiar city, going through an expensive separation after leaving an abusive relationship. With young children to care for and with no family this side of the country, it’s been a difficult journey with little let up. Having stumbled across the lovely staff at the Salvation Army in town, they arranged for me to start receiving food parcels from Oasis, as part of their covid response food parcel project. Oasis then also introduced me to the Oasis Response Fund, which released some emergency money to me that relieved some of the immense financial pressure I was under. Being a single parent and knowing most of the money in the bank does not belong to me, but would be swallowed up on the next expensive legal bill, just being in the supermarket would make my head spin as I had to make difficult decisions about what I could spend on food for my family. The Oasis Pantry has literally been an Oasis. Knowing that I have this reassurance of healthy and varied food being able to be purchased by myself at low-cost has certainly eased the pressure. They see me at my worst, I’m always tired from work, always weary coming through the doors week after week, but I know that I will be able to collect some nutritious and lovely food for my family and be greeted by smiling faces, familiarity and friendliness. My own family is very far away and friends have been cut off because of the pandemic. It means a lot to know that Oasis are there every week come rain or shine, come lockdown or not lockdown. When the food pantry is physically not open there is always a food parcel delivered, created with love, care and consideration of who is receiving it with little extras for the children and for this Mum. I know the food will be there and the support will be there when needed. It’s an extremely important facility for our community, and I’m extremely grateful for it and all who are involved with this amazing project.”
Thank you, Gillian*, for sharing your story with us!
(* name has been changed) 17
