Jodi Schad has always wanted to help people. For a while, she thought about studying criminal justice.
But once she started classes at Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, North Dakota, she decided to become a nurse.
Jodi is now a full-time student with a spirited and energetic 2-year-old son, Tucker.
Once classes finished for the summer, Jodi and her fiance drove Tucker to South Dakota to visit Jodi’s family for a few weeks.
In preparation for the trip, the couple emptied their fridge and brought along food that would spoil or expire while they were gone. They used their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds to help pay for food while staying with the relatives.
When they returned to Fort Yates, they had used all of their SNAP dollars, also known as food stamps, and faced a house empty of food. Neither adult had a regular job.
Jodi’s household must wait until the first of the month to receive additional SNAP dollars. In the meantime, Jodi’s fiance’s sister shared some of the commodities she received through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
“She sent us juice, powdered eggs, and other canned goods,” Jodi said. “That helped.”
Still, Jodi was excited to hear that she could receive fruits, vegetables, and meat through a mobile unit distribution site sponsored by Great Plains Food Bank.
“It’s helpful to get extra food,” she said. “This will cover us for a few more meals.”
Jodi’s son Tucker is eligible for WIC, a federal program which supports the health of low-income children. He loves to snack on fruits and vegetables, Jodi said. He also enjoys drinking milk; the family will go through four to five gallons of milk a week.
“We try to eat healthy every day,” she said.
In the fall, Jodi will start classes again. Her fiance will continue to look for work.
“I think we’ll be okay, but we always wonder if we’ll have enough money,” she said.