USA – When an electrical fire destroyed Lakeshia and Michael’s home in November 2023, the couple and their children lost everything. The devastating event forced them into temporary hotel accommodations, stretching their already tight finances to the breaking point. Pushed to the limits by economic strain, it would not be long until her family would need food assistance.
The situation took a severe toll on Lakeshia’s mental health. “It made me feel worthless as a mom,” she shared. “It was affecting me mentally. It was to the point where I was like, ‘Is it okay for me to live?’ Your kids sometimes are the only reason that you’re living. … It was the lowest I’ve ever been in my life.”
Food Assistance Makes an Impact
But thanks to friends like you, hope arrived through an organization called Road Show Alliance, which reached out to Lakeshia after seeing a GoFundMe post about her situation. Through their partnership with Operation Blessing, they began providing regular food assistance to her family at the hotel. The impact was immediate and significant.
“It helped me a lot. It helped me be able to feed my kids and it took a lot of stress off me,” Lakeshia explained. “Getting food made a tremendous difference in my life because I was able to afford the bills and able to get my kids school clothes. That’s money that I could put somewhere else.”
Because of friends like you, Lakeshia received quality food that helped her family find some measure of peace during the storm. “We get chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables, canned vegetables. We get rice and macaroni and cheese, cranberry juices. My kids fight over those cranberry juices,” she said with a smile. “The food is good quality food. Especially the meats. … With Operation Blessing food, everything is ready to be prepared. It’s never been outdated.”
Volunteering to Help Others in Need
Today Lakeshia, Michael, and their family have found a new home. Lakeshia serves as a caregiver for her two autistic children while occasionally working as a house cleaner and private chef. Though challenges remain, she has found a new sense of purpose through her experience. She now volunteers with the organization that helped her family through their darkest time, hoping to inspire others who might be hesitant to seek assistance.
“I hope my story inspires people to receive help because they’re embarrassed or they feel like they’re going to be talked about,” she says. “You’ve got to let your pride down and accept help from people. Sometimes God sends people or different organizations in your life to help you.”
For Lakeshia, your faithful support provided more than just food assistance—it restored her dignity and hope. “I feel love when I’m there. I feel love when I’m picking out food,” she said. “It’s giving me hope that eventually I won’t need the help. The hope that it’s still going to be there for people that need it.”
