One of many in line at the food bank

By Leslie Devine

Less than a year ago, I was sitting where you are, as a donor and volunteer at my local food bank in South Dakota. Today, I am one of the many new faces seeking help from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

I have worked for more than 30 years, sometimes two jobs, as I helped raise three children without child support or agency assistance. Primarily, I worked as a floral shop manager and designer. But personal struggles the past two years have left me in this new position.

My journey to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia started in November 2009 when my husband was told he had end-stage Hepatitis C. A few months later, we suddenly lost our 32-year-old daughter. A month off from work, plus travel, housing, food, gas and funeral expenses depleted our small savings. By July 2010, I had surgery for a malignant tumor and was left with $36,000 in medical bills because my employer could not afford to offer me insurance.

In April, my employer sold the retail part of his business, where I had done the shop management and sales for the past five years. By May, I had sold my car and my grandmother's turquoise collection and all of the furniture I could. I packed 17 years of our lives and moved it into an 8-by-12-foot bedroom in my son's house with his wife and infant son in Virginia Beach. At the end of July, our son lost his job when his store closed.

I feel desperate to provide the bare necessities for my family even at the expense of my pride, ego and self-esteem. I have to keep my head up because I know I have done everything I could. Because I was told I made a little too much money to qualify for food stamps, I have had to make that decision of not paying a bill or giving up some medication.

Going to the food bank was not easy. Standing in line, you see it grow and stretch out the door, around the building. You see all ages, faces of every social standing, race and education level, and you know that no one else wants to be there, either. I have felt guilty for taking what the food bank offers, but I was desperate for any assistance.

All help given comes from the hearts of the donors from big corporations, small businesses and the family who picks up that extra can of tuna and drops it into a donation barrel. The food bank cannot feed everyone fresh foods or three meals a day. However, what it does offer to those of us standing in that line is hope to make it a few more days and determination to regain the strength and will to move forward.

The only thing any of us can say is a very humble and grateful thank you for seeing us, our desperation and need. Thank you for the food to keep us going just a few steps more as we try to recover our lives.

Leslie Devine is now employed and working to rebuild her life. She lives in Virginia Beach.