Adriane’s house is never quiet. And that’s a good thing!
Adriane and her husband have seven kids. Their lovely, blended family is a result of Adriane’s vow to keep as many kids as possible out of the foster care system after experiencing the difficulties of the system when she was a child. In total, the couple has helped raise 15 kids. They also have what Adriane calls the “neighborhood house,” opening their door to all local kids who need a place to go.
“Any kids in the neighborhood that need looking after or trying to stay out of trouble, we take them to church,” she says. “If they’re over when we cook, we feed them as well.” she says, emphasizing how important it is for her to look out for the children who need her.
Adriane was in the military for six years and worked as an EMT for another 12 years before health problems — including two strokes — forced her to retire. But that hasn’t kept her from working hard. Now, her real labor of love is making sure these children are cared for.
But feeding dozens of kids in today’s economy is no easy feat, especially during the summer months when there are no school meals they can rely on. That’s why Adriane visits her local pantry to ensure she always has plenty of food to go around.
“With how much stuff costs, this is a very big help, and a little goes a long way. So I’m very appreciative,” she says. “Having this means that none of the children we come in contact with or in our household go hungry. And that’s a big difference.”
Adriane makes sure all the kids who come and go from her house know the importance of looking out for others, too.
“Even when you can’t do anything, at the very least you can feed them. And of course, I teach my kids that. So this is a huge blessing, being able to feed somebody and make sure that their belly’s not hungry, just so they can get to the next day. It makes a difference,” she says. And for all those kids, that difference is life-changing!
Thank you for making pantries like the one Adriane visits possible. Because of your gifts, so many children and neighbors can live healthier, happier lives.
