When I found out I was HIV positive through a routine blood test, it was like my whole world collapsed. Before receiving the results, I had been enjoying the honeymoon phase of a new marriage, just beginning to build a life with my new husband and my two kids. We were happy and excited about the future—and then it all came crashing down. I didn’t know at the time, but my husband was HIV positive. Betrayed and trying to come to terms with this life-changing diagnosis, I decided to leave him and take my children with me.
At first, I was in denial. I couldn’t accept the diagnosis and was dealing with it in unhealthy ways. But deep down, I knew I had to survive, not just for me but for my sons. I was on welfare at the time, and the little money I had didn’t cover all my expenses, especially when it came to raising two kids. There were days when I didn’t eat, just so they could. I mentioned this to one of my case managers at Community Care HIV/AIDS Program (CCHAP) and they told me about Food For Thought.
I remember the first time I visited the food bank so clearly: From the moment I walked in, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The lush garden, the fresh produce, the assortment and quality of food—it was name-brand stuff, nothing generic. The amount of food I received was incredible, and I could tell it was high-quality. That was the beginning of a huge change in my life.
There have been times in my life where I was in really bad shape. I was underweight and my health was in jeopardy. I didn’t have the strength to take care of myself. I couldn’t go to the grocery store, let alone carry the groceries inside or cook for my family. Food For Thought started delivering to me, which was an immense relief. At times when my medication made me so nauseous I couldn’t eat and was sick quite often, they provided me nutrition drinks that I could keep down and lessened the sickness.
Over the past 20 years, Food For Thought has been a constant source of support. There are so many times I believe I would’ve gone hungry and died without their help. Their generosity has literally kept me alive. To this day, people are in awe of the food I receive and often ask me, “Where do you get these groceries?” I always respond, “It’s a special place.”