More Than Meals

For families in Logan County, Step by Step’s meal delivery program during the pandemic has provided more than food.

After a few rounds of deliveries, Step by Step staff noticed that at one of their stops, the eight siblings who regularly ran up to greet them were never wearing shoes. They learned from a conversation with the children’s mother that the family was struggling because the father was out of work.

On their next trip, they decided, they’d have to come not just bearing meals, but a few other much-needed items as well.

They reached out to community partners, and soon their van was stocked so full it was almost overflowing—shoes, clothes, backpacks, and hygiene packets were squeezed into the nooks and crannies between bags of food.

When Step by Step staff unveiled these treasures to the siblings, there were “oohs” and “aahs” and exclamations of delight. They instantly dropped to the ground to pull on their new shoes and show each other what they’d gotten.

Beyond offering some physical necessities, the Step by Step team was also able to help facilitate a moment of surprise and joy for the family.