Mark’s grandsons are the light of his life. He retired early from trucking to care for them full-time six years ago.

“I wasn’t old enough to retire, but you can’t raise kids on the road,” he says.

“It’s different being a single parent this late in life. I was looking forward to working more, saving for my retirement … you’ve just got to stand up and do the best you can. It’s hard.”

Now the boys are 14 and 11, and Mark struggles to afford the food his family needs. When free school meals are no longer available to them this summer, every day could be a hungry day.

He’s grateful to receive help from Second Harvest’s partner, Monterey Food Pantry in Putnam County. The food he receives helps him offset bills and other living expenses, which pile up.

“The food is great,” he says. “You go to the grocery and the prices can be so high – especially for vegetables and fruit,” Mark says. “This provides my grandsons with some variety. Food we wouldn’t be able to buy otherwise.”

Mark has heartfelt words of thanks to share with friends like you. He says, “Thank you very much for having kindness in your heart. I really appreciate it.”