Judith and David spent their working years building a life they loved with Judith in property management and David on the road as a truck driver. But when it came time to retire, they faced a hard truth: the cost of living in Montana was simply too high for them.
“We thought we’d be able to retire in Montana,” David shared, “but after a year and a half, we realized that it wouldn’t work.”
The cost of food, housing, and everyday essentials kept adding up, and with the nearest grocery store three hours away, even getting groceries meant spending an extra money on gas. “We just kept getting further and further behind out there,” Judith said.
So they made the decision to move to northern North Dakota, where living expenses were lower. But relocating wasn’t easy. “We had to move all of our things ourselves, because we lived so far off the grid, there wasn’t much help—it took us four trips to move everything,” Judith explained. By the time they settled in, they had spent nearly $5,000 on moving expenses, wiping out much of their savings.
After making the move, they needed some assistance to meet all their needs as they settled in to their new community. That’s when they turned to a local food pantry, supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank, to find grocery items. “I already delayed picking up some medicine,” shared Judith. “We’re just kind of tight this month, and this is really a blessing for us.”
They currently live on a fixed income thanks to social security, and use their retirement funds in case of emergencies. “We’ll be okay after this,” David said. “we’re just trying to get caught up in the meantime.”
Food pantries can be a vital resource for people going through transitions like Judith and David. Whether adjusting to retirement, relocating to a new community, or facing unexpected expenses, access to nutritious food provides stability during uncertain times. With the support of their local pantry, Judith and David can focus on settling in and rebuilding their savings, knowing they have one less worry on their plate.