Jane* and her little girl came to the Community Dining Room for lunch when they could get a ride.  She was given a take out meal for her two sons who were in school and always came home hungry.  Tuesday nights they would all be present at the family dinner when their father was "okay" and could bring them for an "out to dinner" time together, complete with free books and story reading for the children.  Jane says it was because of this food support she was able to stretch the family income and pay their bills.

Time passed and Jane's husband lost his job then wound up in jail.  The family began to slip deeper into poverty.  Jane's daughter was now old enough to attend preschool and Jane found part time work.  She continued to come for lunch at the CDR on weekends when she could find a ride, bringing the children with her.

Recently Jane lost her job and has not been able to find new employment.  She now makes her way to the Community Dining Room as often as possible in order to assure there is food on the table every day.  She finds solice and advice talking with the CDR director and friends she has made at the CDR.

It is not just food the CDR provides, it is a welcoming place where difficulties can be shared with others and some comfort found.  As attendance increases often there is no seat available.  To meet this need the CDR is expanding its seating (with the help of N2N LifeLine) to create an even more welcoming environment.  Preparing more dinners volunteers are working harder than ever.  More food must be purchased (with the help of N2N LifeLine), more meals must be prepared and more volunteers are needed.  These are hard times for our communities, endured with the help of friends and social support agencies.

Jane holds her famity together.  She says she could not make ends meet without the nutritious food support she is freely given at the CDR.  She says she has found help and friendship during these difficult times at the CDR.  She is actively looking for employment and optimistic she will find something soon.  Jane will survive, in part, due to the caring help she receives from social service agencies like the Community Dining Room and programs like the Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine.

Community Dining Room
*not actual name