NEWLYWEDS WEATHER PANDEMIC WITH HELP OF SNAP
“I’m so happy I got to marry my best friend,” says Faith. “It’s been amazing getting to do life with Brennan.”
Faith and Brennan celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary last weekend, and in the past year the young newlyweds learned how to navigate a shared life during a global pandemic.
“My dad always tells stories about growing up without a lot of money,” says Faith. “So I feel really fortunate I got to grow up financially comfortable. Brennan too.”
After getting married, the young newlyweds moved in together for the first time. Faith is pursuing her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, and Brennan was delivering pharmaceuticals. With Brennan able to work steadily, the couple was able to manage their expenses on a shoe-string budget.
Finances got tighter last summer, however, when Brennan caught Covid-19.
“I was delivering prescriptions to people who were very immunocompromised,” says Brennan. “Continuing to work while I had Covid just wasn’t an option.”
The weeks Brennan had to take off work threw off the balance of their already tight budget, and they were at risk of falling behind on their bills. Faith’s aunt suggested they apply for energy assistance, but they were initially reticent to accept.
“We still had a roof over our head and food in our fridge,” says Brennan. “It was hard to think about accepting help when we know there are people who have it so much worse.”
Faith’s aunt, who had previously received SNAP energy assistance, ultimately convinced them that SNAP energy assistance is intended to help households along a range of needs – including those with unforeseen financial hardships like the one they faced.
“It honestly helped us so much,” says Faith. “Energy assistance gave us a chance to catch up and get back to good.”
The couple was emphatic in their gratitude, citing that SNAP softened the financial impact of Brennan being unable to work while he was sick. They were so grateful, in fact, that Brennan jumped at the opportunity to apply to work as a SNAP energy assistance specialist. He’s worked for SNAP since October, and finds immense joy and meaning in giving back through his work.
“My coworkers are just incredible,” says Brennan. “And I love that I get to help other families through hardship and treat them with the same respect and dignity Faith and I received.”
SNAP is currently hiring for additional energy specialists. Those interested in applying and experiencing the same fulfillment as Brennan has can visit www.snapwa.org/jobs.