Despite financial difficulties, Nora remains positive and finds creative solutions to make ends meet. For example, she makes a weekly menu and actively looks for special offers. “Nine times out of ten, the kids still find the crisis meals the tastiest,” Nora says with a laugh.
Grocery Shopping
Nora protects her children. She doesn’t let them see the financial difficulties. “You can’t tell from my children’s lunchboxes. Yes, at the end of the month, the lunchbox looks a bit different,” she says. Sometimes she has to say no when the children ask for certain foods. “I always explain in a way they can understand why it’s not possible.”
Since November 2024, Nora has been using a grocery card through the School Meals Programme. “That card gives me breathing space. It allows me to say ‘yes’ to my children more often when they ask for more expensive fruit, for example.”
Support, Shame, and Taboo
Nora occasionally receives support from her family, but she doesn’t want to burden them too much. “I don’t tell my family that I have no money. They don’t know at all. Everyone has their own burdens,” Nora explains.
Despite the available support, Nora feels a lot of shame when she has to ask for help. “I know there are more parents who need food assistance but don’t dare to ask for it. I can share that help is available, but it’s harder for me to admit that I use it too. There’s still a kind of taboo.” For many people, shame is a barrier to asking for food assistance, resulting in not everyone receiving the support they need.
The image people have of poverty reinforces the shame. “I can’t really call it poverty that I live in because I have a fridge and a roof over my head. We all see the images of people who don’t have that at all, so I’m still blessed. Yet at the end of the month, I think: how am I going to do the shopping?”
Thanks to another parent, Nora knows about the food voucher. The topic became discussable, and Nora took the step to apply for the card as well.
Future Plans
Nora has hope for the future. She is taking an internal training course to improve her chances of getting a better job and strives for more financial independence. Ultimately, Nora hopes to find a job with a good salary so that she is less dependent on support.
Nora’s story shows how shame can be a barrier for people in need of food. Understanding and support are important so that more people dare to ask for the help they need. At the same time, Nora demonstrates the value of resilience and creativity in difficult times. Breaking taboos and being open about financial possibilities ensures that more people dare to ask for help. Small gestures, such as sharing information about a food voucher, make a difference in someone’s life.
