GOOD CHEER GAZETTE Spring 2017
Vol. 14, No. 1
One less thing to worry about when life suddenly changes Life can change in an instant: an accident« death of a spouse«a divorce« loss of a job« illness« and in South Whidbey’s increasingly tight affordable housing market—a rent increase.
“I was a little anxious at first, but once I came to the
Many people have the financial resources to cope with unexpected change. But not all. And in this era of a shrinking middle class, paychecks just can’t stretch far enough. “Last year, 47 percent of Good Cheer Food Bank households were periodic users who used the Food Bank six or less times throughout the year to supplement their groceries when needed,” according to Executive Director Kathy McCabe. “They are often employed, living paycheck to paycheck, and then something happens and they need assistance for a while.”
Food Bank I relaxed because it is set up like a small grocery store. I never felt judged in any way. Everyone helped me feel welcome and comfortable. I never felt that someone
Such was the experience of Lisa Hanna, who works on South Whidbey as a legal assistant. “I first came to the Food Bank in 2005 when I got divorced. Money was very tight, especially around the holidays with three kids. I shopped there for five or six months for supplemental food—about half of what we ate,” she said.
was looking down their nose at me.”
“I was a little anxious at first, but once I came to the Food Bank I relaxed because it is set up like a small grocery store. I never felt judged in any way. Everyone helped me feel welcome and comfortable. I never felt that someone was looking down their nose at me.” Continued on page 4
— Lisa Hanna, former Good Cheer Food Bank client
IN THIS ISSUE
ONE LESS THING TO WORRY ABOUT WHEN LIFE SUDDENLY CHANGES
WHO ARE THE HOMELESS AND WHAT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
HOUSING CRISIS: DO YOU HAVE FIRST/LAST AND DEPOSIT IN THE BANK?
2016 GOING ON 2017
Good Cheer staff are all smiles after a day of team building to better serve the community!
Good Cheer Food Bank & Thrift Stores | Creating a Hunger-Free Community
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