Dalene Basden’s life is a balancing act. By day, she supports families with special needs children in Lynn, Massachusetts, a city where many struggle to get by. She’s a program director at the Children’s Friend and Family Services Clinic, but her commitment goes beyond her office hours. After work, she volunteers at a local soup kitchen called My Brother’s Table.
At the soup kitchen, she’s more than just a helper. Dalene checks in with clients, offering guidance and support. On one recent evening, she encouraged a young man to fill out a job application and discussed another’s missed commitment. “I meet my families where they’re at,” she explains. She helps them budget and find deals at grocery stores, often seeing them at playgrounds or schools.
However, despite her years of helping others, Dalene now faces her own financial challenges. Rising prices for gas and food have made it hard for her and her husband to manage their monthly expenses. Their gas bill has shot up from about $400 to over $600. “It’s just like overnight,” she reflects. “Yesterday you could afford it, but today you can’t.”
This struggle is not unique to Dalene. According to a recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, eight out of ten Americans are finding it tough to make ends meet. Many are affected by cuts to federal food assistance programs, compounding their struggles. Dalene, once the provider of help, now finds herself relying on food pantries to feed her family.
Dalene’s life took another twist when she received a cancer diagnosis. While she has good health insurance and is getting treatment, the costs of copays and traveling to Boston for appointments are overwhelming. “It’s crazy,” she says, reflecting on how she’s trying to balance her health and finances.
Despite these challenges, her commitment to her work remains strong. She often has to reconsider how much she can give to others due to her growing financial burdens. “I’m just one curveball away from not making it,” she admits. Yet, she continues to navigate her responsibilities, finding joy in her vital work.
For many in similar situations, the struggle is real. The need for help extends across communities, and the sacrifices are often felt deeply. Dalene’s story is a reminder that the line between giving and needing can sometimes blur, but the human spirit often triumphs, even in tough times.
For more insights on household finances and food security in America, check out the findings from the USDA.
