Terri Daniels was a working mother of two when she visited her first food pantry.
"It's about more than food, it's about hope. When you're worried about feeding your children, it's hard to think about anything else. I planned, I worked hard, yet that's where I found myself - working a job that barely paid the bills with nothing left over to buy food. My self-confidence was all but lost. It was difficult to visualize a better, hopeful future.
"When I finally accepted help through the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, I found out I wasn't alone. The support I received lifted the weight off my shoulders and helped me take the first steps in building a hope-filled future for my family.
"One step led to another and I gained the confidence to apply for a better job, then another. I even went back to school in the hopes of giving back to the organization that helped me and my family on this new path.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of the Eastern Illinois Foodbank."
Terri is still a working mother of two. She's also a veteran,college graduate with a Master's degree, employee of the University of Illinois, and a proud member of the Eastern Illinois Foodbank Board of Directors.
