Hunger Action Month: Hard-working moms struggle to feed their families

September 16, 2025

If you’re wondering who the 1 in 8 Delawareans—or the 1 in 6 children—living with food insecurity are, look around. They’re people you encounter every day in workplaces: entry-level employees in healthcare, education, and service industries. They’re working people whose wages don’t cover the rising costs of housing, childcare, medical expenses, and food. Every paycheck requires juggling—what bills get paid, and what’s left for groceries.

Earlier this week, Kathryn stopped by our Healthy Pantry Center before starting her shift in a local healthcare facility. “It’s not my first time, but the first time in five years I’ve needed food services,” she shared.

Even though she shops for groceries at a dollar store, this week there was no money left for food after paying bills. “I work full-time, and so does my fiancé, but we don’t make a lot—and grocery prices, well…” Rent on her family’s single-wide trailer goes up every year, straining her budget even further.

Kathryn enrolled her 10-year-old in an after-school program where snacks are provided. She was denied state food assistance, though she did receive school supplies for her daughter. “That was helpful,” she said. Still, even as a healthcare worker, she can’t afford employer-offered insurance. “I’m healthy, and it’s not cheap, so I chose not to sign up this year. We’re working people. This is the first time in years I’ve been here. It’s the way the rent and the bills are lining up. This week, we’re really short.”

Kathryn wasn’t alone in the waiting room. Across from her sat Anna, another working mom doing her best to make ends meet.

Anna, a direct support professional, had just finished an overnight shift at a group home and drove 45 minutes from Laurel to Milford. Despite working full-time and receiving $200 a month in SNAP benefits, it isn’t enough to feed her three children, ages 19, 15, and 7. “The rent, the food costs, they keep going up. Last month my food stamp money was stolen out of my account. Whatever I can get here, it will help.”

Why We Share Kathryn and Anna’s Stories
September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign led by Feeding America to raise awareness and inspire action against hunger. This year, Hunger Action Day was Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025—a day when communities across the country stood together for families like Kathryn’s and Anna’s.

Hunger isn’t always visible. It doesn’t always look like an empty pantry or malnourishment. Sometimes, it looks like a mom working full-time, stretching every dollar, and trying to make healthy meals from dollar-store groceries.

That’s why this month—and these stories—matter.