Cerise’s Story: When Healthy Food Becomes Non-Negotiable

Most of us understand how eating quality, nutrient dense food impacts our bodies but how many actually follow through and make it a priority? With busy lives and increasing costs, it can be difficult to prioritize healthy eating. For folks on a limited income, it easily becomes inaccessible. But for Cerise, it’s non-negotiable.

“I’m eating to live instead of living to eat.”

Months ago we shared a part of Cerise’s story – a 66-year-old retired teacher who makes the journey to Common Pantry from the South Side of Chicago. After being hit by a car on two separate occasions nearly 10 years ago, Cerise became disabled. More recently, Cerise was diagnosed with MS.

When she retired, her income changed drastically overnight; she once made $80,000 a year and now lives off of about $22,000. After subtracting her rent, utilities, bills and medical expenses, Cerise doesn’t have much leftover to buy food. Before losing her SNAP benefits last year, Cerise only received $12 in SNAP benefits a month. 

 Cerise relies on food pantries to eat, but often needed to go to multiple pantries to fill her fridge. With limited options and choices, she took what she could get. And when she did go grocery shopping, she was forced to choose convenience and affordability over health – buying whatever was the cheapest instead of making a meal herself.

“People want to eat good, it’s just not affordable”

During this time, Cerise never felt like she could focus on healthy eating. It was inconvenient, required too much work that she physically couldn’t always do, and ultimately didn’t feel like it was worth the trouble. When she eventually did need to make changes to her diet, she felt that nutrient dense foods were still inaccessible. She was struggling to get the basics, how would she get anything else?

While visiting a local pet food pantry, Cerise learned about Common Pantry from someone in line. When she heard about the quality of food and the overall experience, she knew she had to come. Since then, Cerise’s life has changed for the better. 

Before, Cerise had to take what was given. Now at Common Pantry, she can choose the variety of foods her diet requires – all in one shop. She has access to nutrient dense, fresh foods that were once unattainable and can finally prioritize her health.

Cerise initially only came to Common Pantry for our grocery distribution and weekly hot lunch. She has since begun attending our monthly cooking classes and connecting with Morgan, our Registered Dietitian. She has been able to incorporate what she’s learned and the recipes taught into her daily life.

“It is really making a difference in my choices, and I can feel it in my body. When you eat something that is processed, that takes your body so long to break down versus eating something that has fiber, grains, and the nutrients you need.” 

Today, Cerise’s health looks very different. Using the quality food and guidance she has received from Common Pantry, she has been able to reverse her pre-diabetic diagnosis, stabilize her blood pressure, lose weight, and regulate her digestion.

“I made a transition that is causing me to live longer and healthier”

Beyond being able to make strides in her health goals and gaining access to nutritious foods, Cerise has gained so much more. The person who first told her about Common Pantry? She’s become one of Cerise’s close friends, often coordinating their visits to Common Pantry together to catch up and connect. As time has passed, they have met new people, growing their circle and creating long-standing friendships.

When we launched our nutrition program it was to provide access to healthy eating, bridge the gap on the foods we eat and their related benefits, and help guests make changes to their diets if needed. Now, we know that our program is making significant impacts on people’s lives and Cerise is just one of many. 

Thanks to a generous donor, any donation made during the month of April will be matched up to $10,000, doubling your impact. Give today to support our guests and allow them to thrive.