Zoie
“We love big holidays,” Zoie says, smiling. “We decorate a lot.”
Zoie is a student at Lee College with dreams of becoming a preschool teacher and a school psychologist. She treasures every moment with her family — her mom, stepdad, and sister — and loves gathering around the table to share meals during the holidays.
Like many families, rising prices have made it hard for them to afford quality groceries. The Food for Change Market at Lee College in Baytown, supported by Houston Food Bank, has made a huge difference for Zoie’s family. It’s lifted a weight off their shoulders so that, despite challenges, they can enjoy healthy meals together.
“We have good, whole produce to put on our table to eat, and it also benefits our body … we can opt for the healthier options,” she says. As an added bonus, the market is known among students as a warm and welcoming space where everyone feels seen and cared for.
Now Zoie and her family can continue the holiday traditions they hold dear, like cooking Italian food together, thanks to support from Lee College and Houston Food Bank. And they’re even able to do things they never would have done before, like eating out for special celebrations.
“I’m just very grateful that as a student, I’m able to come here and use this very valuable resource,” she says.
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