We’d like to acknowledge an uncomfortable truth about the work we do every day here at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

It’s a truth that seeps into every part of our work as the largest hunger relief organization in Indiana, from large-scale mobile pantries, school-based pantries, or hunger relief centers operating out of churches across 21 counties.

The truth is this: it can take immense courage to ask us for help.

Neighbor Bonnie, who we met at a mobile distribution in Boone County, touched on her experience — one shared by so many of our neighbors. She visited the distribution on behalf of herself and two family members who are navigating severe health struggles, including two transplants.

“Of course, God’s always up there with me, first off. But even God’s gotten busy, too, recently. Lot of prayers to answer,” Bonnie said.

The recent loss of her husband left Bonnie without a second income source. Now, she lives on one fixed income and has a family to sustain. In addition to the onslaught of life challenges out of her control, Bonnie faced yet another barrier to overcoming food insecurity: shame.

For too long, Bonnie’s shame kept her far hungrier than she deserved.

“I was very hesitant to ask for help. I was married and we had that other person to work and do all the things that families do,” Bonnie said. “I felt like I could do it on my own. But eventually you realize you can’t do it all alone.”

At Gleaners, we hear these same fears and hesitations echoed by thousands of neighbors every day. Neighbors in line for the first time have told us they fear facing the stigma of being judged or shamed by members of our own community. These fears are often founded on cruel falsehoods, which tell our neighbors that to receive food from a food bank is shameful even as the price of rent, medical care and food prices skyrocket to unattainable levels.

We know our neighbors and communities are deserving of the food they receive from us. We know that food is a basic human right.

The truth of the work we do at Gleaners is simple: neighbors like Bonnie who take that brave first step to receiving support, often on behalf of their families, are taking a crucial first step toward alleviating the cycle of poverty.

Because Bonnie took that courageous step, she has since learned how to make the most of what is given. Freezing food and putting produce into soups are just some of the ways Bonnie stretches what she’s given and creates a healthy lifestyle.

“I’m grateful for anything I’m given. And I’m very appreciative of the people who do this,” Bonnie said.

Often, we find our neighbors are the ones building community and support networks by becoming an inspiration for others to do so as well.

Nell is a neighbor who picks up food for three other people and attended the same distribution as Bonnie in Boone County. She heard about the distribution through a friend, then passed along the resource to another friend.

The food all three households receive from Gleaners helps sustain them through the month.

“This car right here in front of us is a brand new [neighbor]. It’s her first time and I got her to come out. I told her that it really helps on groceries and she likes it,” Nell said.

Bonnie and Nell are among the many thousands of people who now realize there is no shame in seeking out food assistance.

Generous food suppliers are donating food to Gleaners that may have otherwise been unnecessarily tossed in the trash. Instead, our neighbors in need can use it as sustenance to create stability.

The time neighbors take to wait in line at the Boone County 4H Fairgrounds — while daunting at first — makes the difference between going to bed hungry that month or not. Bonnie had a piece of advice for those who might feel anxiety about showing up.

“Just give it a try. Just for the one time, just to see if what you get is what you can use,” Bonnie said. “They need to check it out. Especially people like us that are struggling.”

As for Gleaners, we’ll keep serving neighbors like Bonnie and Nell, or like you, at every turn. We understand it takes courage to get help. But we’ll be here if you do.