52 Stories, 52 Weeks: 'This pantry is hugely beneficial to me'

Dorothy Oviedo lives in La Grange and receives food assistance from the St. Francis Xavier Food Pantry.

Dorothy Oviedo has been coming to the St. Francis Xavier food pantry in La Grange for nearly 10 years, since she and her husband separated. She works part-time in childcare and owns her home.

She had always hoped her savings would be enough to help her make ends meet when she got older, but now she isn’t sure - her mortgage and monthly payments are quickly depleting her emergency funds.

“The pantry really helps stretch my food stamp dollars,” she said.

Dorothy receives $189 per month in SNAP benefits. But she still can’t afford produce, so she receives it at the food pantry.

“I get all kinds of fresh vegetables at the pantry,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise.”

In addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, Dorothy receives meat, bread and shelf-stable food at the pantry.

“It’s hugely beneficial to me,” she said.