I have always really felt good about supporting St. Mary’s for various reasons.

Here is the story behind my donation. My dad died when I was 12 leaving a 36-year-old wife and eight children under 13 without a breadwinner. He was a blue-collar worker, but we were always fine and had what we needed and even some things we wanted. After his death we were plunged instantly into food insecurity. My mom was always there, always did what she could with what very little we had. Of course, our new normal was anxious and the domino effect of food insecurity is immeasurable on not just bodies, but minds and spirits as well. Our mom was terrified of failing to feed us - I could see it in her face, but she always came through (with and without help). Our mom had a stroke and died seven years ago on Thanksgiving. She was only 68, but a life of fighting is tiring. So the "gift" was to families who are struggling like we did, parents fighting like she did.

– Gwen