In Petal, Mississippi, Jesse, a resilient grandmother, relies on Petal Children's Task Force, an agency partner of Mississippi Food Network to help keep her family fed. “I came in to get a box today. It’s a monthly box that they give us. And it really helps out a lot for my family,” she shares. Jesse’s household includes her nine-year-old granddaughter and her daughter. She emphasizes the importance of nutritious, home-cooked meals. “This place gives a lot of beans and rice, which is very nutritious. And those are things that I like to cook for my granddaughter. She eats well, and she’s a very healthy kid,” Jesse explains. Life hasn’t been easy for Jesse. Over 25 years ago, an accident left her with significant health issues. Recently, she battled Bell’s Palsy and suffered a minor stroke. “I’m a very bad diabetic, which means I have a lot of medications that I have to take. I’m still fighting to get my A1C down. I take insulin daily,” she says. The pantry’s offerings are crucial for...