In today’s world, it’s hard to find good news or something that is uplifting that is actually authentic. In the daily execution of tasks to fulfill our purpose, it is stories like Andria’s that keep our hearts and hands motivated and energized to continue the good work to which we have been called:
Hi my name is Andria S and I’m happy and honored to say that I’m a volunteer at Feeding Hands Food Pantry.
I want to share with you a story—my story. A few years ago, I moved to Hillsborough with my 2 daughters Daniella and Jackie. At that time I enrolled in Raritan Valley Community College to continue my nursing education, and only worked part time so I could focus on completing the nursing program. Being a single mom and surviving on a part time income was a constant struggle. I found myself running low on SNAP benefits (a program that supplies a monthly monetary amount to purchase food based on income and people living in the household) at the end of each month and prayed that God would reveal himself to me and help me get through every difficult situation that I faced. The whole time I had faith and believed that God would never leave me stranded or without. One day I was driving home from work and discovered a sign on the side of the road on Route 206 in Raritan that said Feeding Hands Food Pantry so I pulled over in the parking lot to inquire about who they were and what they did. In that moment of need, the Feeding Hands Food Pantry was my beacon of hope.
Receiving food for the first time was humbling, the volunteers were empathetic, they greeted me with kindness and respect, treating me not as a statistic, but created a connection with me as a neighbor in need. The food I received wasn’t just sustenance—it was a lifeline that allowed me to focus on other important aspects of my life that needed attention, instead of me worrying about where our families next meal would come from.
They didn’t just provide meals; they provided dignity, community, and a reminder that we weren’t alone. It was a place where we could find not only the help we needed but also the strength to keep moving forward.
Today, I’m proud to say that my daughters and I have made it through that difficult time. I graduated from Raritan Valley Community College with my associates degree in nursing in May 2023 and have been working as a registered nurse for a little over a year at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, NJ. I am now in a position where I can give back by volunteering with my daughter Jackie restocking shelves, sorting through food and most importantly making connections with every person who has a need. I know firsthand the impact that your support can have. Every donation, every dollar raised, is more than just food on a shelf—it’s hope for a family, a child, a neighbor who might be facing the same challenges I once did.
I’m here to tell you that your generosity makes a difference. It made a difference in my life, and it will make a difference in the lives of each other up, to support one another in times of need, and to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Together, we can make sure that Feeding Hands food pantry continues to live out God’s commandment to care for the poor by loving and serving neighbors in need by being a place of stewardship and hope.
Thank you for your kindness, your support, and your commitment to making a difference. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community has to face hunger alone.
Thank you.