“She was a hard worker. She worked very long hours. And thankfully I always had food on the table.”
Geraldine’s gratitude and admiration for her mother are palpable. But for too many families, including Geraldine’s, hard work doesn’t always prevent financial hardship. Food prices are up 33% since 2019, impacting nearly everyone, including us (Filling in the Blanks purchases over 90% of the food we distribute). For families already working hard to make ends meet, rising grocery prices don’t mean cutting out luxuries — they mean making difficult decisions between necessities like food, rent, medicine, transportation, and child care. This type of economic squeeze is at the root of food insecurity in the U.S.
Every Friday in high school, Geraldine received a Weekend Meal Bag from Filling in the Blanks, full of kid-approved snacks and pantry staples to take home. A simple, direct solution that didn’t just provide needed food, but let Geraldine know there is an entire community invested in her success and well-being.
“[The meal bags] always gave a sense that a community wanted to help you. It was just a little bundle of treats that I would get and have for myself on Friday, but also, of course, more important things like milk and some groceries.” The meal bags eased pressure on her mother and made a meaningful difference in their lives, and that experience has stayed with Geraldine.
Now a graduate of the University of Connecticut and working in state politics, Geraldine is still feeling her way forward, but one thing is certain: her commitment to public service and bridging the gap between government and the communities it serves.
“As someone who is part of the Latino community, I’ve been there. I’ve been in those shoes of not knowing how government works. And as somebody who now works in government, I want to be able to bridge that gap.”
For Geraldine, Weekend Meal Bags did more than provide food: they offered dignity, eased financial strain at home, and helped shape a lifelong commitment to serving others. Geraldine’s relationship with Filling in the Blanks has come full circle. Having benefited as a student, she now volunteers and encourages others to get involved as well. For her, community service extends beyond a career in government; it is something everyone can participate in, including you.