Hunger doesn’t always look the way we expect. It lives in every neighborhood, affects people of all ages, and often hides in plain sight – behind familiar faces, in everyday lives.
We invite you to read the real stories of hunger – shared anonymously, bravely and honestly by members of our community who experience it firsthand. These powerful messages remind us: hunger can look like anyone.
Unseen. Until Now.
“My husband and I both worked full time for years. Now I am unable to work and get SSDI. My husband is unable to work due to chronic pain and is facing back surgery. He has always worked since he was 12 years old. We have a child (teenager). We live with family because we cannot afford to live on our own. We do get some federal benefits, but with rising costs of food and cuts to government programs, the extra food we get from food bank helps to stretch our budget further every month. It has been a blessing.”
“No lights no water run off cord.”
“Great people who does this. I do this too feed my nephew and me and share any extra with family. People need too realize, kids needs this. I am on disability and they cut our food stamps.”
“I need it. My husband has cancer and a diabetic. I’m raising grandkids. The people nice. I can’t work.”
“I am on disability and they cut my food stamps to $40 month and groceries are so high cost of living high so I [need] all help I can get. My husband died cut income. Now I have rent, light and low income”
“Lack of food for the family, the cost of food in store. Everyone is hurting. Have two grandkids who taking care of because my son was killed in 2023, gunshot 3 times by his friends, and husband died two years later.”
“You think you will never get assistance. One day I found myself and 2 children in a divorce. Husband didn’t give me for the children or for bills/food. I finally broke down and went to the food stamps office. I broke down and cried. I was told about a food bank. Food stamps was only $19. I asked to volunteer at the food bank.”
“Working here [local food bank] lifted my spirits and mental health. I know that I am not the only one receiving food.”
“I come because I got divorced and my ex left me with lots of bills. I was on disability at the time and could not afford even food. A friend told me about this place. I am so blessed to have this place to be able to come to. There’s always good food and I bless the driver of the truck and all the workers here. I have food now and don’t have to worry about where my next meal will come from. Bless you all. There were times when I didn’t know. I appreciate this from the bottom of my heart.
“I am senior citizen and on a fixed income. The price of grocery is so high that I need help to make it monthly.”
“Living on disability, income NOT enough to pay [mortgage], [vehicle] insurance, high bills and [high] medication, trying to feed yourself and your family struggling, after paying bills there’s not enough money to buy food.”
“I am on [Social Security] and can’t get food stamps. I live on my daughter’s property. Restore is building a house and my daughter bought me a trailer. I am not set up for electricity. I have a temp pole I work off of. This helps a lot.
“The food bank has been a blessing for me after losing my dad May 30, 2024 and my mom April 18, 2025 and I still haven’t found work.”
“I get [Social Security Administration] but due to medical bills and [medications] under [medication] assistance along with my bills I can barely make ends meet after 6 trips in hospital and ambulance bills. Thanks be to God for this assistance.
Why We’re Sharing These Stories
At the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, we’ve launched this campaign to help our community see the reality about hunger. The stories we’ve received remind us: hunger isn’t a distant issue. It’s here. It’s real. And it impacts people just like us.
This campaign was created to show what hunger really looks like in our community. These stories offer an honest, personal perspective – one that challenges assumptions and brings us closer to the people behind the need.
Hunger isn’t a distant issue. It’s here. It’s real. And it impacts people you might not expect.
Every Card Tells a Different Story – But Reveals the Same Truth.
“The truth is… as a senior citizen and retired, my monthly check doesn’t cover the cost of food once all the bills are paid. So [grateful] for the food bank and their assistance.”
“We get food stamps and Medicaid but doesn’t cover for husband’s diabetes. Waiting on [Social Security Administration] to approve and its been years even with lawyer. With this food bank I’m able to have what I need to feed our family. Thanks be to God for this program.”
“Me and my husband both work full time and can’t keep groceries in our house after bills.”
“It’s a blessing for the food bank because some people in the parish need help so bad. Thank y’all for all you are doing for [these] people.”
“I am disabled and my husbands job shut down. We have 4 kids and groceries continue to rise in price. Electricity and other bills continue to spike. It is very hard to provide for our family nowadays. Thank you!”
“We think the Food Bank is God providing for people. It’s letting people get some of the foods they may not can afford in the stores.”
“My family of 3 is here to get some extra to help because the state cut our food stamps to $24 a month. My husband is on disability because of a brain tumor. He is on on chemo and has a hard time with walking and everyday life.”
“I depend on the food I get from this church every month. I’m on a low fixed income so it really helps me out a lot to be able to get food.”
“My brother only gets $978.00 a month. He has to pay rent, utilities, and buy things he needs to survive each month. It is such a blessing that he can get food from the food bank to help him through the month. I’m praying this continues because it has helped so many people and I’m so thankful for those who donate to the food bank.”
“Need food to help feed family.”
“Me and my family are greatly helped by this food pantry. We depend on it’s help to geed our family and greatly appreciate it VERY MUCH.”
“The rise of food price and one parent work because of disabled child. Need care 24 [hours].”
“I am on disability after having cancer, strokes, COPD and other health problems. I am 66 years old and have now moved into senior housing apartments. Most of residents at complex are in same financial and health situation as I am. Most do not have transportation so my friend and I pick up for 5 households. We will get together and have meals together on regular basis. We all pitch in and it makes life better for all. Some are not able to cook and this is making sure we all have healthy homecooked meals.”
“It is a blessing to have food that is healthy, for our community and families. I appreciate the Food Bank. Thanks.”
Be the Difference.
The stories shared here are real – and they’re happening every day, right here in our community.
Your gift helps us provide hope to those in our community who need it most. Consider joining our monthly giving society. This dependable support allows us to plan for the year ahead and gives us the opportunity to feed as many people as possible. A one-time gift of $50 can help provide up to 150 meals, but a monthly gift of $30 can help provide more than 1,000 meals a year!
Because hope looks like you.
Stories That Stay With You
“I did without so she could have… Hunger is seeing the kids faces and knowing they need food. I remember when my daughter was little and I always made sure she had all the snacks and food to keep her healthy and happy. That smile made my day!”
“No food is hunger any food is life, [whether] you like it or not. When in true need you will eat anything that is food. I thank the Food Bank for any food I eat anything! Thanks”
“I have a large family and yes we get food stamps but we truly don’t get enough to feed our family. The food bank helps us tremendously, if we weren’t able to get the help we would go hungry for a few weeks. Thank you so much for the opportunity to get the help we need so much.”
“Yes hunger can look like anyone. No one knows what goes on inside of any others house. This is so helpful because it provides life and healthy support for us who can’t afford the rapid rise in the cost of grocery. God Bless. Thanks so much.”
“If it wasn’t for the churches doing this me and a lot of other people would starve. It don’t get no realer than that. Please the Lord Amen. P.S. please don’t stop doing this.”
“My SNAP benefits had decreased tremendously because of Social Security payment increased. I am a Grandmother raising 3 teenage grandchildren. This church has saved me so much by giving us food. I am so thankful for them and I am truly blessed by them.”
“Things are getting worse, harder to buy food, pay utilities, and insurance. Trust me it’s not just the poor.”
“Hunger is real! I have many neighbors which walk up to the meal connect distribution telling us the need for what the Food Bank is doing. I’ve heard about the choices being made; rent, meds, food? Where do I begin or, even rather where will I end? But in the end also comes a smile, even an encouraging word. Together we shall get through the struggles.”
“Thanks for everything. This helps me so very much. I even give some to friends and neighbors. The price of food is so expensive I can hardly buy food in the stores. Thanks again and may God bless you.”
“Just to share to truth about hunger. 1. Feeling irritated and angry some people get 2. headaches 3. stomach feel empty 4. stomach growling 5. low energy. My truth, this is how it looks when I don’t have the nutrition the body needs to live and be productive.”
“I have been hungry, with only eat rice and butter, I only get a small once a month of that cover some of my bills. Thank God for St. Paul Food distribution now I can have a [balanced] meal, because everything is going up. I pray that St. Paul continues to provide us with food.”
“I found St. Paul after my car got flooded in 2016! Their van picked me up to attend church. I went with them to volunteer in Baton Rouge at the Food Bank and when we opened our pantry here I am. My son who had worked and contributed to the household moved out and insurance cost for homeowners insurance went up and the struggle was REAL. I think God for this Food Bank (and I still volunteer).”
“I was [laid] off in 2023 for 1 [year], times [were] so hard, my husband was working. My son had a bad accident 41 [years] old I had to care for him. If it [wasn’t] for the Food Bank, we would not have any food [too]. I am so grateful. So bless for everything. Thank y’all so much.”
“Woke up 12/16/24 unable to walk. Horrific pain in right leg. After a week I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, muscle spasms, lower vertebrae bone on bone. I can’t perform on my job so I lost it. I’m 53 years old and trying to figure out how am I going to survive. The food bank has taken some of the stress off for now. Thank God!!!”
Hope in Action
“I help my community. I deliver to elderly people who can’t come.”
“I help cause it a chance to witness to people and bring them to church. I also help cause it’s what Jesus would do. Jesus help the poor and needy the high and rich and the kindness you put in the world Jesus will reward you for it if you do it in truth and do it for the right reason.”
“I am actually picking up for an older lady who can’t come herself. She does have a relative but it’s impossible for them to do. She really appreciates it! I do get for myself too!!!”
“It is a blessing to have food that is healthy, for our community and families. I appreciate the Food Bank. Thanks.”
I come out to serve my community. Not only because I am a part of the ministry staff here at St. Paul Baptist Church, but because I know what it is to be hungry as a child, as well as, as an adult. This serves as just one way I can give back and help to feed someone/families if they are hungry.”
“I volunteer at [Baton Rouge] Food Bank – Walker we have a farmers market that we collect food, clothing, and supplies for the ones in need in our community. Last is being a Food Bank collection or pickup site.”
Hope Looks Like You
You’ve seen the reality of hunger in our community. Now, help change what comes next.
Join our monthly giving society today—at any amount.
Every dollar helps us plan ahead and feed more people, every day.
Your support brings hope.