Ellie’s Story

Ellie, a third grader, is passionate about school.

She puts her heart into learning but unfortunately found it hard to concentrate. Ellie knew she will have breakfast and lunch at school but couldn’t help worrying about what she’d have to eat at home and if there was going to be heat in her apartment.

Ellie’s parents often work evenings, leaving her older siblings to cook dinner.

One night her older sister had an idea to create “ketchup soup” – as condiments appeared to be the only items in their refrigerator. Ellie told her teacher about the creative “ketchup soup” her sister had masterminded. Stunned by Ellie’s dinner menu, her teacher enrolled Ellie and her siblings into the school’s Backpack Program. Amid the food was also information about the local Family Pathways Food Shelf. Ellie hoped they could get some food that looked “just like the pictures”.

The entire family cried as they walked out the food shelf door with multiple bags of groceries.

Accessing the food shelf also helped their budget, allowing them to put extra money toward the heating bill.

Thanks to generous community organizations, businesses, groups and individuals that partner with Family Pathways, Ellie no longer worries about what she will eat for dinner or if she will miss meals on the weekends. She no longer goes to school hungry, but instead is energetic and ready to learn!