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A Daily Struggle
By Partnership
Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) assists some of the poorest areas in the United States through the Native American Aid (NAA) program and its Produce service. In Oglala Lakota County on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, the community was grateful to receive generous amounts of fresh produce on behalf of NAA, with some help from the Bank of America. 32-year-old Roseann P. of the Oglala Sioux Tribe said it’s a daily struggle for her to put enough food on the table. She took home fresh produce to her three kids, ages 5, 7, and 8, and two other family groups.
A Daily Struggle
Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) assists some of the poorest areas in the United States through the Native American Aid (NAA) program and its Produce service. In Oglala Lakota County on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, 36% of children are food insecure, so the community was grateful to receive generous amounts of fresh produce through NAA and help from the Bank of America.
32-year-old Roseann P. of the Oglala Sioux Tribe took home produce to 12 people, including her three kids, ages 5, 7, and 8, and two other family groups.
On the day of the produce distribution, Roseann was struggling with food. She shared, “We didn’t have anything, and that helped us out. My kids and nieces were so excited when I brought the food back. They really liked the watermelon. I made a mixed fruit bowl and boiled the zucchini with potatoes and peppers, and they asked if I could make it again.”
Having enough food for everyone is a daily struggle. Roseann explained, “It’s really hard on me. I just want my kids to have three good meals a day. But it’s hard to get enough food to cook even two meals a day.” For the past 10 years, Roseann has used the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help fortify her family’s diet. She tries to cook as healthily as possible, and usually, shops at local merchant stands because she doesn’t have a car. Getting the box of fresh produce saved her about $20, which she’ll use to buy hygiene products.
Besides food, Roseann struggles to keep a roof over her kids’ heads. It’s hard to find a home with the availability and prices on the reservation.
For income, Roseann sells bundles of sage, which people burn to smudge an area for health or to pray. “I struggle financially. Selling sage helps me bring food back for my family and others at home,” she shared.
To people who support PWNA and our NAA program, Roseann shared this message: “Keep bringing produce because it really helps, especially when we’re struggling with no food.” Your donation to NAA helps families like the Roseann’s today.