ODESSA, Texas —
Children going through food insecurity have only their parents to rely on for food for the most part during spring break.
“That means that they’re left alone during the day, that means that their parents or guardians are going to work just like normal; they’re not taking a vacation, they’re not going to Colorado where it’s cooler and they're not going to the beach," said Libby Stephens, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank. "They’re not going to Disney World; they’re literally still locked into their apartments or their home and they’re alone. And they’re alone to figure out how they feed themselves and they can only use what is in the pantry or cupboards that they have at their home.”
Food insecurity is when people don't have enough to eat and don't know where their next meal will come from.
This can be especially hard on children.
"We're seeing the highest need we've ever seen in children in the 12 years that I've actually been in this role," Stephens said. "Right now, families are struggling with the cost of food and fuel that they're having to experience in their homes and their having to make hard decisions."
Stephens said this isn’t always the parent's fault and that these parents are doing whatever they can to support their family and provide meals.
“It’s not because these parents are neglectful, it’s not because they don’t love their children, it literally is because right now the cost of living has become so expensive that it’s becoming very difficult for them to provide resources for themselves and their children,” said Stephens.
The West Texas Food Bank does a drive thru for food pick up at both of their locations. Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Odessa and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Midland.