Grandma Gets Help from the Food Bank

Feb20

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Willie rides the Capitol Metro van to the Alamo Recreation Center. She has been coming to the rec center for the past 16 years.

At the rec center she’ll work on search word puzzles, draw, paint with water colors, and play dominoes and cards. However, Willie doesn’t just go to the rec center to socialize, she also receives food assistance there.

Each month, the 78-year-old receives a 30 pound box of groceries from the Food Bank, specially prepared to meet the needs of older adults. The contents of the box vary each month but every box includes cereals, juices, proteins, peanut butter or dry beans, milk, grains, canned fruits and vegetables, and cheese.

Willie is on a fixed income and with most of her money going towards paying her bills, the food she receives helps her supplement her groceries, especially when her utility bills increase and it gets harder to buy food.

As a loving grandmother, she has taken in her grandkids to help them get back on their feet.

“I have grandchildren that are homeless and they are living with me right now,” Willie said.

With a bigger household, it’s harder for Willie to make her fixed income stretch. Thanks to the extra food she gets at the rec center, she is able to share her meals with her grandkids who help her out.

Willie has severe arthritis and gets tired easily. With her grandkids at home, they’ll help her do chores around the house and cook different meals with the food she gets from the Food Bank. They’ll use the canned carrots and potatoes to go with the spaghetti and ground meat.

“I would like to say to the donors, thanks for the box of groceries that I receive from the Food Bank. I appreciate everything that they have provided for me,” Willie said.

Seniors like Willie rely on the Food Bank to get the nutrition they need. Despite serving nearly 46,000 individuals like Willie each week, we’re still falling short of meeting the need by 30 percent.

During Amplify Austin on February 28 to March 1, you can help us close the meal gap for three months. But you don’t need to wait until the 24-hour day of giving to help. You can make your donation today!

Make your Donation