Nataly
When Nataly’s family moved to Texas from out of state, they were struggling. Nataly’s mom found her way to Hearts and Hands of Baytown, and the pantry’s free food helped get them through a rough time.
So Nataly’s mom started volunteering at the ministry. And then when Nataly graduated from high school, she started volunteering too. Before long, Nataly, now the mom of a young boy, was hired on as a staff member. On some days, you can find all three generations at the facility — Nataly and her mom helping clients, and her son smiling at them all.
“My favorite part is knowing that we’re making a difference for people,” says Nataly. “A lot of clients share their stories with us and say how grateful they are. I love that.”
One family’s story in particular has stuck with Nataly, and it also involves three generations. An older couple and their daughter, a single mom, were all coming for help. The mother recently passed away, leaving the older couple, nearing 70, with the task of raising their two grandchildren, both in preschool.
“You can imagine at that age it’s a little harder to be running around with kids,” says Nataly. “They are on a fixed income, so they’re grateful for the food and personal care items we give them, and that helps their budget. Raising their grandkids wasn’t in their plan, so I’m glad we’re able to help them.”
Since she started working with Hearts and Hands, Nataly says her biggest surprise has been learning just how many people in the community are food insecure. “It’s really opened my eyes to see the need,” she says.
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