IN Mt. Lebanon Spring 2017 | Page 58

THE MANY FACES OF HUNGER in the South Hills South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) is helping local individuals meet basic needs and move toward self‑sufficiency. J im had worked at a local hospital for nearly 10 years when his job was eliminated. Months of searching for a position with a similar income left him living on his savings. As that quickly depleted, he struggled to keep the bills paid and his children fed until landing his next job. That’s when he turned to South Hills Interfaith Movement’s (SHIM) food pantry. When Elaine’s husband passed away, she was doing a pretty good job of managing her expenses on a fixed income. But an unexpected medical bill left her having to choose between her prescriptions and food. She needed a local place to turn for help. For Meena and Rajen, 17 years of living in a refugee camp in Nepal was trying. Now living in the South Hills, they feel blessed, although learning a new language, finding jobs, and helping their two children assimilate are daily challenges. He’s working as a custodian and she in retail while they pursue an education, reimagine their careers and slowly rebuild their lives. Every person who walks through the doors of SHIM’s food pantries has a story. They come from various backgrounds with 56 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Mt. Lebanon various needs. In fact, 66 percent of the families served by SHI