Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Just Write: Piles

Piles of laundry cover two chairs in the living room.

White laundry baskets line the floor, overflowing with clothes.

A dented brown cardboard box full of hand me downs. She searches for jeans to fit her youngest. It's cold now and clothes are just one more thing she isn't able to give them. No matter how she struggles.

She has been looking for a new job since April-when her hours were cut. How can a single mom support three kids working 28 hours a week at a minimum wage job? She can't. She gets the maximum food stamp benefits-and still it isn't enough food for four mouths. She doesn't eat breakfast. Sometimes because she isn't hungry. Other times because there isn't enough food. She has a favorite place to get food boxes. 

"It's the only one that gives meat, " she says.

She'll start college classes in January. Hopefully more education means a better job and a better life.

Hanging out with Heather


4 comments:

Tamara Camera said...

Hope so - the better job, better life. Better everything.

Robbie K said...

This is a glimpse into the lives of some of the families I've worked with over the years.

Tomekha said...

Wow. It's so sad that this is reality for so many people. I can't fathom how they manage...and yet they do. So sad.

Robbie K said...

Their resilience amazes me...but it is heartbreaking that this is their normal.