Emily fled a violent home – and thanks to the food you provide, she won’t be forced to return.

Imagine having to choose between living with the constant threat of violence, or going hungry.

Emily* was living in fear of her long-term partner. In the five years they’d been together, he’d cut her off from her friends and family and she had no freedom or independence.

“I had no car and no income of my own and he had access to all my social media passwords. There was food… but it was all food he liked. I was too frightened to eat much and when I did, I’d sneak the food.”

Emily was facing an impossible choice. If she stayed, her life was at risk. But if she left, she’d have no home, no belongings and no food. Then one night, soon after she turned 50, Emily’s partner came home and used physical violence against her. The next morning, he acted like nothing had happened.

“He got up and kissed me before he went to work,” she recalls. “After he left, I snapped. I thought; ‘Hang on, I can’t do this anymore’.”

Emily grabbed a bag and packed a few items of clothing. Without a cent to her name, she fled to the bus stop, determined to escape.

“I’ll never forget that wonderful bus driver,” she says. “He took one look at my bruised face, my tears and my suitcase and said: ‘Come on, I’ll take you to the train station’.”

Emily felt so relieved she’d escaped, but she now had to rebuild her life from scratch. In desperation, she called an old friend who helped her find lodgings with a couple who lived two hours away by train.

It was an amazing feeling to have a safe place to sleep from that day on. But as Emily couldn’t contribute any money to the household, she felt guilty eating the couple’s food – especially with the skyrocketing cost of groceries.

So, Emily hopped online to see if there was a place where she could get some basic food items to cook meals of her own. She soon discovered a local Member Charity. This Foodbank Queensland charity partner provides food hampers to those doing it tough. Emily didn’t know it yet, but she was about to get a second chance at life.

“Walking into the food pantry is one of the most beautiful and vivid memories of my life. A young lady said to me ‘Can I help you?’ and I burst into tears – I lost it.”

The kind-hearted volunteer offered Emily a hamper filled with food essentials all people need. The food had been freely provided by Foodbank Queensland, thanks to your amazing support. Emily was astonished as she went through the hamper. There was so much – baked beans, bread, breakfast cereal, rice, fruit and vegetables.

“I was able to go home to my friends’ house with food and feel like I was contributing. One of the first things I made was a soup in the slow cooker. It made my life so much better that I could eat well. The hamper lasted me a week. I was so grateful for the quality of it.”

Three months after Emily escaped her violent partner, she was grateful she could still access food hampers as she took steps to regain her independence. She’d begun doing short courses to prepare for employment. Emily’s confidence was building. So, she asked if she could volunteer at the food pantry for work experience. It was a way to repay the life-changing food she’d received, thanks to you!

With cost-of-living soaring, more people than ever like Emily are struggling to put food on the table. This includes families, older women and even those with jobs. Many Queenslanders are struggling to survive and seeking help for the first time. When they come into the food pantry where Emily volunteers, they are often embarrassed.

But Emily puts them at ease. She greets each person with a warm smile.

“People come in downtrodden, and they go, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I’ve had to come in’. And I’m like, ‘You know what, honey? They’ve helped me out before – and it’s kept me alive’.

“You wouldn’t believe the looks on their faces when I give them a hamper. They often say ‘Wow, is this mine? Thank you so much.’ We send them off happy.”

After feeling so hopeless, going hungry is something Emily no longer fears. Because there’s a place where she can eat well and be healthy and strong, she can focus on creating a secure future, free from violence and abuse.

“Without this support in my time of crisis I probably would have had to go back to my ex,” she says. “I don’t even know if I’d be alive.

“I felt like nothing then suddenly, I had the support of some food. It’s changed my life and the next steps I’ll take. My independence is back, and I feel good about myself. I’m only 50 and I’m ready to make a career… I’m going places!”

*Name has been changed to protect privacy

ike