Choosing Between Bus Fare and Food: A Mother’s Story of Hope and Support with Bette’s Bounty

I am a single mother to a teenage son. I do not have access to transportation, and often by the end of the month, my pantry can look bare. There is only one pantry in my town of Griswold, Connecticut. Since I either must walk or take the bus, I can only grab what I can carry in bags. This state is not designed for a single mother without transportation. Food insecurity felt like a wall, and transportation is the lock. If I spend my money on an Uber, that is even less money I have for my groceries. My case manager introduced me to Betty’s Bounty Food Pantry, located at UCP.  

They are appointment-based and use a choice model, which makes it easier for me to plan how I can get transportation to access the resources. I am not handed peanut butter and jelly. But I am allowed to pick fresh fruits, vegetables, snacks, dairy products, and things that my growing son and I need to nourish our bodies. The types of food they offer are one of the biggest differences. They treat me like a human with wishes and needs, not just another person in the pantry line.

If you want to know about the outcome of this pantry for me personally, it is not just a full fridge. This pantry helps me show up better for myself and for my son. I stop living in a survival mood and I can bring healthy options to the table for my family. I am so thankful for this pantry because it is giving my family and others the opportunity to feed their families without having to choose between bus fare and a balanced nutritional meal.  

~ A single mother with a teenage son. She uses Bette’s Bounty to help provide balanced nutritional meals.