The single mother of twelve has revealed that the cost of living crisis has left her relying on food stamps, saying she “couldn’t afford” to support her family without them.
Veronica Merritt from New York revealed her children were forced to eat a diet of macaroni, hot dogs, and boxed ramen after her food expenses soared to a whopping $24,000 a year.
The 39-year-old has openly admitted that people who think she shouldn’t have had children in the first place have made fun of her on TikTok for “not being able to afford” her large family.
However, Veronica said that having children feels like her “superpower” and that she has no regrets about having so many.
A content creator for a video-sharing website, Veronica claimed she had been “on and off” food stamps over the years.
The family receives $1,400 in food stamps from the government every month, but she feels it’s not enough because food is so expensive.
She continued: “I try to take care of my children as much as possible. I was broke this month and had to pay $1400 in food stamps.
It’s challenging to feed [everyone] for $1,400 because the prices are so high right now.
It used to cost me $500 a month to feed a family of twelve, but today it costs $2,000 to $3,000 to feed that many people with ramen.
We used to be able to buy anything, but now we can only get ramen. I used to not have to worry about anything when I went to the grocery store and bought everything we wanted.
Recent data shows that as a result of two years of runaway inflation, the average American household now spends $1,080 a month on groceries.
At age 14, Veronica gave birth to her first child, Victoria, at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, New York in March 2000.
She had ten children with her first husband. She then married an old boyfriend and had two more.
Her current children are Victoria, 24, Andrew, 19, Adam, 17, Mara, 16, Dash, 14, Darla, 13, Marvelous, 11, Martalya, 9, Amelia, 7, Delilah, 5, Donovan, 4, and Modi, 2.
She said: “I don’t regret any of my children; if I had waited until I was rich, I would never have had children.”
Veronica added that although she wanted more children, a fibroid caused her to have a hysterectomy on May 2.
“I color code so I have a boy and a girl for each color, so six boys and six girls are pretty perfect,” she said.
“Everything is strangely flawless. How beautifully everything came together. I would need to be rich and pay for a surrogate if I wanted more.
Veronika is adamant that she loves all her children equally and does not choose a favorite.
“People assume I can’t love all the kids, which is ridiculous because that’s like saying you can’t love ten of your friends,” the woman said.
Yes, some days I might spend more time with one than the other.
Veronica Merritt’s candid account of her struggles as a single mother of twelve sheds light on the harsh realities facing families struggling with the rising cost of living. Her story underscores the financial difficulties of running a large household in today’s economic climate, especially when inflation and food prices are at unprecedented highs. Despite receiving $1,400 in food stamps each month, Veronica finds it increasingly difficult to provide for her children as her food expenses have risen from $500 to $3,000 a month.
Amid this financial hardship, Veronica’s commitment to her children remains unwavering. She rejects criticism from those who question her decision to have a large family, expressing that her children are a source of pride and joy rather than regret. Her experience reflects a broader problem facing many families struggling to make ends meet in a tough economic environment.
Veronica’s situation also highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of individuals in the face of adversity. Her ability to manage a large family on a shoestring budget while still loving and supporting each of her children speaks to her strength as a mother. Her story is a reminder that behind the numbers and statistics of the cost of living crisis are real people who are experiencing hardship but also showing incredible resilience.
As Veronica overcomes these challenges, her dedication to her family and refusal to let negative comments deter her from her journey are powerful examples of how individuals can maintain their dignity and hope despite severe financial hardship. Her situation offers a poignant look at the sacrifice and love that define the experiences of many struggling families across the country.