Story of Hope: Leanna in Haverhill

Recently, Leanna Nieves attended GBFB’s Women Fighting Hunger breakfast to share her story and illustrate how food assistance can make a difference for families like hers across Eastern Massachusetts.

After the birth of her youngest daughter, Leanna was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. “You’d probably be surprised to know that I have a pacemaker,” she said. “I have a type of heart failure that is being treated with a pacemaker defibrillator combo.”

Access to food assistance is a lifeline for the family as Leanna recovers from medical treatments and returns to working part-time. During the summer months, when her children don’t receive free school lunches, Leanna says the support is especially helpful and the nutritious options at the pantry provide peace of mind.

“I once thought that I was in this by myself. I was a young mom, and it was hard…But when I visit The Salvation Army in Haverhill and get food provided by GBFB, I feel like someone cares about how I’m doing,” said Leanna at the event.

The Salvation Army Haverhill, a GBFB Agency Partner, has helped Leanna through these health challenges. Feeding three growing children on a fixed budget is difficult, and even more so amid the rising cost of living. Leanna said that $50 does not go as far at the grocery store today as it did a year ago.

On average, 95 percent of the food at Salvation Army Haverhill is supplied by GBFB. With the support of our partners, we’re fueling a food distribution network that helps families like Leanna’s every day.