Suzanne and her husband worked full-time jobs for their entire lives. Despite being fully employed, they were hit hard by the skyrocketing costs of living, as they lacked a cushion to help them weather hard times.
After her partner lost his job and her mother fell ill, Suzanne’s life became one ordeal after another: eviction, mounting debts, and cupboards that often went bare. To make sure her children always had what they needed, Suzanne would turn to food banks and community meals—or even go without.
She struggled one day at a time for years until a community agency provided her with invaluable support that changed her life forever: she finally had access to healthy, balanced meals for her kids, she was able to stay in her apartment, she received psychosocial support, and she took evening classes to learn a new profession.
Today, Suzanne’s life is much more on track. She has a job she loves, which involves sharing her knowledge and stories with children. She also runs a breakfast program and volunteers for food security initiatives, as she is determined that no child in her community will go through the same food struggles that afflicted her family.
- Her story is a testament to resilience and reminds us that support for one person benefits all of society.
Suzanne’s story is based on the experiences of many women and families facing food insecurity in Greater Montreal.
Did you know that, in less than three years, the cost of basic food items in Greater Montreal has risen by nearly 28% for a family of four?
This represents an additional $3,000 every year.
Centraide supports a network of over 375 agencies that fight poverty and social exclusion.