CLEVELAND — Northeast Ohioans have been waiting for hours to get a box of food to feed their families at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank weekly distribution.
"I am so grateful I could bust,” said Kathryn Snyder.
Despite their circumstances, they’ve made it through a tough year and for that, Allicia Ambersley and Kathryn Snyder are thankful.
"I’m coming all the way from Painesville and I come, and I see these people standing in the cold and I’m like oh my goodness, I am really grateful, and I am so thankful,” said Ambersley.
Ambersley isn’t working right now and her husband is providing for their entire family.
"It’s terrible and it's given me a lot of anxiety and depression to know that I have to go to the pantry to make sure my family have something to eat.” said Ambersley.
Snyder brought a Christmas card for the volunteers at the food distribution. She relies heavily on the food bank since her food stamps have run out.
"Not many people care and the ones that do care stand out,” said Snyder.
Karen Ponza, the director of communications at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank says the lines have been long since March and she really doesn’t think things are going to slow down anytime soon.
"People who have lost their jobs, who had to take pay cuts or were on furlough, it continues and the longer it continues, I think, the more and more people are finding themselves in need,” said Ponza.
At least 3,500 families will get a little extra help today, and especially during Christmas time, it means a little more.
"It doesn’t matter what I get, I’m thankful. If it’s a loaf of bread, I’m thankful, knowing that I am able to give my family something to eat,” said Ambersley.
