Susan lives alone, but she never faces hunger alone.
Each month, she visits her local food pantry, where she always finds something she can use or something she can pass along. “There’s always something I can use,” Susan says. “And if not, I know someone else who can.” Her quiet generosity reaches beyond her own kitchen, often extending to neighbors and friends who might be facing tough times themselves.
But for Susan, one of the most important lifelines is the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). As a senior living on a fixed income, she participates in the federally funded initiative that provides monthly, shelf-stable food boxes to income-eligible individuals aged 60 and older. The monthly food boxes she receives provide not just nourishment, but stability and peace of mind.
“They have helped me out a lot,” she says. When asked if she could get through the month without them, her answer is firm: “No, I would not.”
Though lactose intolerant, Susan is grateful for the thoughtful variety in her CSFP box, especially the fruits, vegetables, and meats that allow her to prepare balanced, satisfying meals. One of her favorites to make is homemade rice pudding, a comforting recipe she’s perfected and enjoys sharing.
Through this program, Great Plains Food Bank currently supports 884 seniors across 39 counties. In the past year alone, 270,065 pounds of food, equivalent to over 225,000 meals, have been distributed to older adults like Susan who deserve to age with dignity, health, and comfort.
Together, government resources like CSFP and local food pantries form a powerful support system ensuring that no senior has to choose between food, medicine, or utilities. For Susan, they’re more than just programs. They’re a reason to keep showing up, keep cooking, and keep caring for others.