Real Stories of Hunger: Nicholas

Nicholas is a second-year student in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program at The University of Texas at El Paso and is “…looking forward to taking all I’ve learned and giving back to my community through my profession." 

But Nicholas' educational journey has had its share of challenges, especially in the early days when he moved away from his parents' home to pursue higher education and found himself experiencing food insecurity. 

He connected with El Pasoan’s Fighting Hunger Food Bank, the city's sole food bank and a partner of the Feeding America network. The food bank serves as a vital resource hub, providing not just sustenance but also support for individuals like Nicholas on their educational journeys.

For Nicholas, accepting support from El Pasoan’s Fighting Hunger Food Bank was not just about receiving aid; it was a steppingstone toward fulfilling his dream of becoming an occupational therapist and, more importantly, giving back to his community.

When 11-year-old Elijah grows up, he already knows he wants to be an engineer. A robotic engineer, specifically. He lives with his grandfather, Robert, and five other siblings in San Antonio, Texas. As the oldest of the bunch, Elijah often helps his grandfather with the other kids and with chores. And when Elijah’s not helping out, he’s busy at school.

When school is out, Elijah stays busy, too. During the summer, he loves swimming, playing basketball and bouncing around on the trampoline with his siblings. Sometimes during the summer, his family picks up free meals nearby their home.

“When I’m hungry, I get tired or I’ll get distracted,” Elijah said. “But when I’m not, I’m on-task and I can focus.”

Elijah eats free breakfast and lunch at school as well. Having consistent meals in the classroom enables him to focus not only on his schoolwork, but on his passion – robotics.

“If I’m full, I’m ready for whatever happens,” he said.

During the summer, you’ll probably find 13-year-old Tyleeq outside, playing with his two younger brothers. The boys live with their grandmother, Belinda. As the oldest grandchild in the house, Tyleeq helps his grandmother whenever he can.

When Tyleeq’s not helping his grandmother during the summer, he’s at the local Boys and Girls Club with his brothers, where he eats breakfast and lunch – meals he would normally be eating at school.
“Eating food at the Boys and Girls Club is great,” Tyleeq said. “It means when I get home, I’m not hungry. And when I’m not hungry, I can go outside and play and have fun.”

When school is out, kids like Tyleeq and his brothers, who eat free breakfast and lunch at school, often don’t have access to those meals because filling the gap can be tough for low-income parents. Summer meals programs like the Boys and Girls Club, which works with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, help ensure kids have enough to eat year-round.

The Truth About Hunger,” featuring Shanola Hampton

34 million people, across every county in the United States, experience food insecurity – including more than 9 million children. “The Truth About Hunger” features celebrity activists, Shanola Hampton, reading handwritten letters inspired by real experiences of people facing hunger – to shed light on the issue of hunger in America and invite us all to take action.

Together, we can end hunger.

“The Truth About Hunger,” featuring Connie Britton

34 million people, across every county in the United States, experience food insecurity – including more than 9 million children. “The Truth About Hunger” features celebrity activist, Connie Britton, reading handwritten letters inspired by real experiences of people facing hunger – to shed light on the issue of hunger in America and invite us all to take action.

Together, we can end hunger.