Stories in recent days paint a picture of an improving economy. But many people are still limping along, trying to survive.
The San Antonio Food Bank reports a record number of families are turning to them this year. Many needing a helping hand for the first time in their lives to feed their families.
Three years ago, Linda Pharis was earning more than $100,000 a year as human resources executive.
"I was the United Way agent and I would always refer people in need to food bank and hand them the sticky note with the phone," Pharis said.
She left her job to help run her husband's small business and raise their two children. When the business started struggling, she tried to find work.
"The hard part is there aren't any jobs out there," she said.
Now she's going through a divorce.
"The challenge is you're being told your'e overqualified. Well, my children still need to eat," she said.
So Pharis is turning to the agencies where she once referred others, only now it's to help fill her pantry. This week, she went to a food bank agency for the first time.
"Now I'm on the other side needing help. It's very eye-opening, very humbling and neat to see how much people care," she said.
At the food bank, they've seen a 35 percent increase in need this year. Many of them are just like the Pharis family.
"It's families that have never had to ask for food before. We're trying to keep up and the only way is if the community continues to help.
Hopefully we'll weather this storm which is the recession," said Eric Cooper, director of the San Antonio Food Bank.
"There are a lot of people out there like myself who need the help. Now when I see there's a box to collect food I'm going to be paying more attention to that knowing what that really means. For those who can donate financially that's really a good thing because that's really the basics. You have to have food. You never know when you're going to be in need of those services, like myself," said Pharis.
KENS 5 is teaming up with the San Antonio Food Bank and I-B-C to provide for those in need this holiday season. If you'd like to help, drop off non-perishable foods at any local I-B-C Bank. Donations will be accepted now through the end of the year.
