Staff Spotlight: Meet a CalFresh Specialist Who Has Experienced Hunger Firsthand
Before she was a CalFresh specialist at Feeding San Diego, Lourdes Gonzalez waited in line for food. Although it was over a decade ago, she remembers her firsthand experience with hunger like it was yesterday. Her husband lost his job, and she had just given birth to their third child.
“It was difficult with three kids, including a newborn baby. I needed diapers, milk, all those things. My other two kids were five and nine. It was a big, big issue for me, not having food for them,” Lourdes shares.
Community Resources Make The Difference
Thankfully, her mother was out for a walk one day and heard about a church in the neighborhood that had a food distribution once a month, although it was extremely challenging to get in line to receive the help.
“For you to be able to get a number for food you have to be there very early. The first time we went around 4 AM and they ran out of numbers. The next time went we went around 1 or 2 AM.”
Through the church, Lourdes received essentials she needed so desperately and formed a bond with others in similar situations. After about a year, Lourdes and her family got back on their feet, and she can now relate to her clients better.
“I think everybody goes through those moments when they need help.”
Helping Others in Return
As a CalFresh specialist, Lourdes helps her clients enroll in CalFresh, the nutrition assistance program designed to help families and low-income individuals purchase healthy foods.
“I always like to talk about my experience. I’m not ashamed. I think everybody goes through those moments when they need help,” she shares.
Her personal experience, and the fact that she is bilingual, helps her connect more deeply with those she assists.
“I feel great just knowing that people feel better when they talk to me. When people say ‘Thank you for your help’ and they get benefits, I feel good.”
To learn more about our CalFresh outreach efforts, please visit feedingsandiego.org/cal-fresh.
