Premwatie persevered through many personal challenges to provide for her family.
She moved to Central Florida as a single mother of three boys, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in an assisted living facility.
Her circumstances were made even more challenging when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy treatment and a double mastectomy.
Unable to keep her job because of her cancer treatment and its harsh side effects, Premwatie receives disability benefits, but it isn’t enough to be food secure.
She applied for SNAP benefits, and receives $23 a month, which doesn’t go very far.
“I go to the store, get a gallon of milk and maybe about three items,” Premwatie said. “It’s not enough.”
She looked elsewhere for hope and for help with food and found what she needed at Catholic Charities of Central Florida in Orlando, one of Second Harvest’s feeding partners.
“Coming here is the greatest help,” Premwatie said. “They give you good stuff. I love the meat. Sometimes I get double bags of meat and that helps.”
The bread, fruits, vegetables and even things like cake and holiday items she receives at the food pantry are all appreciated and useful to Premwatie and her family.
She said the people at the food pantry are the best part, though. They treat her well, seem happy to see her and know her by name.
“They’re like, ‘Hey, Premwatie! You’re here!” she said with a smile on her face. She went on to say the volunteers even helped load up the food in her car, which she appreciates. “It’s great help here.”
The food she receives every week provides the food security she needs for her family.
“The amount of stuff that I got in that box, it’s enough,” Premwatie said. “It’s a great thing you’re doing here. I think it’s helping a lot of people.”
