Sofia is a 28-year-old mother of two who moved to the U.S. from Mexico three years ago with her husband, Luis. They live in a small apartment, and while Luis works long hours in construction to support the family, Sofia manages their household and attends English Language Learner (ELL) classes at Southeast.

James is a 45-year-old man who has been experiencing homelessness for the past two years after losing his job in construction due to an injury. He spends his days finding temporary shelter under overpasses and relying on food pantries like Southeast Community Services for basic necessities like snack packs, hygiene kits, and occasional meals.

Margaret, a 72-year-old retired caregiver, lives on a fixed income consisting of Social Security and a small pension. She lives alone in subsidized housing and has limited mobility due to arthritis.

Elena, a 32-year-old single mother of two, works part-time as a school aide while pursuing a certification in medical coding through the Center for Working Families (CWF) program. Despite her hard work, her current income isn’t enough to cover rent, childcare, and other expenses.

Omir, a man in his 50s from the Middle East, supports a large household, including five children and his sister’s and brother’s families. A regular at the Alhuda Foundation pantry, he works tirelessly to meet their needs.

Christian lives in Indianapolis with her two children and her aging father. She works part-time as an elderly caregiver and attends evening classes at the local community college, hoping to earn her healthcare degree.

Zayna, a 40-year-old Iraqi refugee, has spent over a decade building a life in Indianapolis for herself and her five children, aged 8 to 17. Her journey has been marked by immense challenges—adapting to a new culture, financial struggles, and the lingering trauma of war that claimed several family members.

Joshua is a 53-year-old black man who lives alone and relies on disability income. He visits the food pantry twice a month, seeking food, clothing, and, most importantly, a sense of safety and belonging.

Chris is a 35-year-old white man living with his five children. He relies on food stamps to help support his family, and he visits the pantry twice a month.

June is a single mother of three young children, one of whom has autism. Every Saturday morning around 10 AM, she walks to the food pantry from her apartment, pushing one child in a stroller while holding another by the hand.

Maria is a 24-year-old Spanish woman, living with eight children. She relies on a regular 40-hour job to provide for her family but still struggles to meet all their needs.