At 72 and 68, Nancy and Yodell each maintain part-time jobs trying to make ends meet. Still unable to cover their basic needs, the couple visits the Park River Area Food Pantry, supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank, for food assistance.
“We come about once a month,” says Nancy. “It really helps us make ends meet.” Nancy works at the local grocery store, and Yodell washes dishes at a local restaurant. “I just can’t stand sitting at home doing nothing,” Yodell says. Unfortunately, their combined incomes just are not enough to cover all their expenses.
“We’re kind of struggling getting our bills paid,” Yodell shares. The food they receive from the pantry allows them to save money on groceries, freeing up funds for other necessities, like Nancy’s diabetes medication, which can cost as much as $800 a month.
Unfortunately, Nancy and Yodell’s story is not unique. Many older adults are forced to work far beyond their retirement age. And those with chronic health issues often face the difficult decisions between paying for lifesaving medications or food. Your gifts to the Great Plains Food Bank help ensure that older adults, like Nancy and Yodell, do not have to make those impossible choices.
Together, we can end hunger and make a real difference in the lives of our older neighbors and those facing health challenges.