November 21 | Isabelle Panza
For years, Tamira took pride in providing a stable, loving home for her two daughters. As a single mother she worked tirelessly to ensure they had everything they needed—a safe home, good food, and a bright future. But everything changed when debilitating arthritis struck. The condition became so severe that even standing for long periods caused Tamira’s knees to buckle.
Unable to continue working, Tamira had no choice but to apply for disability. Life became a series of uphill battles. Her youngest daughter, born prematurely at just two pounds, was now a teenager with ongoing health challenges. The family also relied on their emotional support pets, which played a big role in easing the anxiety caused by her daughter’s medical struggles.
Determined to not give up, Tamira made the difficult decision to downsize her home to make ends meet. While it helped, it wasn’t enough. That’s when she began searching for additional resources—and discovered Long Island Cares.
“I put positive energy out there, and that positive energy came back to me through blessings like this food pantry,” Tamira says.
Now, Tamira visits Long Island Cares monthly. The nutritious, high-quality groceries she receives have not only supported her family’s health journey, but also their financial situation. Being able to stretch her budget means Tamira can afford critical medical care for her daughter, while also ensuring her emotional support pets are cared for with the pet food Long Island Cares provides.
“Getting food from Long Island Cares allows me to take care of my children in a way that they deserve,” Tamira says.
Tamira’s story shows the true impact of Long Island Cares—not just offering food but giving families the support they need to avoid making heartbreaking choices between meals and medical care.
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