Janice
For Janice, this year and every year is about living a healthy lifestyle. Her health journey has been shaped by the Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Network (DAWN Center), a partner of Houston Food Bank, which gave her the knowledge and tools to achieve her goals.
Janice loves gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her house is full of love, and she is known for hosting big gatherings. “A ton of people come over and just eat and have a good time. You know, fellowshipping,” she says.
Janice retired early to care for her daughter facing illness. As a senior living on a fixed income, she looks to support from Houston Food Bank to help stretch her budget. Twice a month she receives foods like cabbage, carrots, chicken, and lemons — and Janice can turn anything into a meal in her kitchen.
“You split it and do what you have to do. Carrots, you peel them, run them under the water, chop them up, let it dry and freeze them,” she says. “You can make carrot soup, carrot juice with beets. Make lemonade. And tea.”
She used to worry about how her budget would stretch throughout the month. But now Janice can focus on other essentials. “I can buy my medicine this week and that will stretch me for the end of the month,” she says.
At the DAWN Center she learned how to manage her health through food, exercise, and stress management. Now she’s meal-prepping and meeting with a nutritionist and a doctor. Because of your generosity, she can access nutritious food, manage her health, and focus on her goals — being active, spending time with family and being independent for years to come.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she says.
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