On this week’s episode of the Food Podcast presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union on the TribLIVE podcast network, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank talks about the power of sharing stories of food insecurity.
“So many times food insecurity comes from a life event, a crisis,” said podcast host CJ Johnson.
It’s one of the reasons the Food Bank started the Food is Love, Share the Love storytelling campaign.
The team made it a point to share stories which showed the reality of why people turn to food assistance in the three rivers region.
One person the Food Bank spoke to was Amy Salmon.
Salmon was living a normal life in New Eagle, until her doctor diagnosed her with cancer in 2018.
In order to get treatment, Salmon had to quit her job.
“Chemo is not free. I have a copay bill for my cancer pills. My rent, water bill, light and gas … the grocery bill is really at the bottom.”
At the time, her daughter decided to move in with her and work to support the house while continuing school.
Things were tight, and then the pandemic hit, forcing their family into a crisis.
Salmon’s daughter had to choose between her job at the hospital and protecting her mother from the virus. Suddenly, income disappeared and food became hard to even find on shelves.
“I stood [in the grocery store] and cried cause I didn’t know what to do. It got real, real fast,” said Salmon.
Salmon saw a commercial for a food distribution in downtown Pittsburgh and drove down as a last resort.
“We were so grateful. Everyone was just so grateful. It reminded me of the part where Jesus feeds the crowd with the fish. That saved our life,” said Salmon.
To hear Amy’s story and others visit Pittsburghfoodbank.org/love.
