Can you imagine, after working your entire life, sitting down at the kitchen table with your spouse, not to eat, but to decide if you are going to turn on the heat? Or are you going to take your medicine? Or which bill is the most pressing and must be paid before services are turned off? Maybe after all of these are taken care of, you finally look in the cabinet for something to eat and the cupboard is bare!
That’s life for approximately 17% of those Arkansans over the age of 60.
If you cannot visualize what life is like for these neighbors, perhaps this story will better illustrate it.
Several years ago, I was volunteering at my church food pantry when a friend of mine came in. He was retired as a civil employee and had owned his own business, so I was shocked to see him. With a tear in his eye he shared the reason. “Kent, you know my wife has been sick. We have spent our entire savings on medicine and treatment. My grandchildren are coming and we don’t have anything to feed them and I cannot imagine having to tell them there is nothing for them to eat.”
Thankfully, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is there to help my friend, and the thousands who, like him, are experiencing food insecurity. But we can only be there with your help. Your donations provide more than just food, they provide security in the fact that those in need can feed their grandchildren when they come visit.
K
