Low on food, but not on hope

Catholic Charities held a Neighborhood Market food distribution Thursday morning in downtown Fresno. Between 400 and 500 families were expected to receive food during the event.

Adela and Edgar Fávila have college degrees, but not jobs.

“We would take any kind of job,” said Edgar, as he stood in line for food with Adela and their 3-year-old son. He has a degree in social work from Fresno City College, but has been relying on his Social Security payments.

Adela, who has a degree in social work from Fresno State, agreed. She worked for five years at Valley Teen Ranch, but budget constraints squeezed her out of a job about a year ago. She has received three unemployment benefit extensions.

The couple agreed that they are doing OK. They still have food and shelter for themselves and their four children.

They still have their sense of humor. “No Hawaii trip this year,” Edgar said with a laugh. He added that he would rather visit Cancún.

And they still have their hope.

“My son is trying to get into Stanford,” Adela said, adding that he’s taking four Advanced Placement classes this school year. “I’m really proud of him.”

Eddie Canal arrived at Catholic Charities at 6 a.m. Thursday morning so he could receive bags of fresh produce, and cartons of juice and milk. It was the end of the month, and the bills were piling up, so he was thankful to receive some fresh food for him and his 16-year-old son.

“It’s good healthy food that wasn’t old or getting fungus on it,” he said, as he waited to go through the distribution a second time. Canal, who is a disabled veteran, leaned on a walker as he spoke.

He, too, spoke with hope about his son’s future.

“He’s thinking of college already,” Canal said. He added his son wants to be a police officer – or maybe the mayor.

Do you need food? Visit the Community Food Bank websiteto find out where you can get help. Do you want to help?  Find out how you can donate your time, money, or food.

• More about poverty and hunger in the San Joaquín Valley: Poverty rates increase, Vida en el Valle, Sept. 21, 2011