Sapulpa Mom One Of Thousands Who Rely On Food Bank To Feed Family

Our effort to highlight the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma's Food for Kids program takes us to Sapulpa, where a mom is fighting the odds and grateful for all the help that comes her way.

Tiara Hunt has three children to feed and a budget that sometimes stretches beyond the breaking point.

"When it gets to the end of the month the bills are due, it's hard to make sure everything is taken care of—it can be difficult sometimes," Hunt said.

She lives in a modest neighborhood in Sapulpa, within walking distance of the local elementary school.

7/20/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Food Bank Gives 'Senior Servings'

Hunt came to Oklahoma with her husband a decade ago, looking for a better life.

"In New York, there's nothing. There's nothing. It's horrible up there," Hunt said.

But while jobs were easily available here, so was meth.

Hunt's husband got hooked and was sent to prison when she was pregnant with their third child.

"He's never been a part so, there's no child support there," Hunt said.

She keeps a roof over her family's head with a job in the bakery at Walmart, but her hours were recently cut, and despite her best intentions, good, healthy food was hard to come by.

"They love veggies, they love salads, they love fruits. So, I try to buy as much as I can," Hunt said. "They're my world. I don't know what I would do without them."

To keep that world intact, Tiara looked for help.

3/2/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma Kids Express How The Food Bank Backpack Program Impacts Them

One of the resources she found was the Food for Kids backpack program.

Every Friday, Hunt's three children bring home a small bag filled with healthy snacks and a small meal, enough to help them through the weekend.

"Nobody likes to ask for help. It's embarrassing sometimes, but sometimes you have to swallow your pride and do it for your family," Hunt said. "Those kids depend on me, so that's what I gotta do."

The Eastern Oklahoma Food Bank is expanding the backpack program into some middle schools this year, but they need your help to make it a success. Click here to find out how you can help.

Learn about the News On 6's commitment to Food for Kids.