Peggy and Faye are two community members who receive grocery bags from Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Grocery Bags for Seniors program. Through this program, volunteers come together to pack over 2,000 grocery bags a month with fresh produce and non-perishable groceries and deliver them to local communities of seniors who many be at risk of hunger. Faye says she has been receiving grocery bags for nearly ten years, while Peggy has been receiving them for over five years. For Peggy and Faye, these grocery bags have improved their access to healthy and nutritious food, stretched their monthly grocery budgets, and even brought their community together.
When asked about her favorite item to receive, Peggy explains that she enjoys the recipe cards that are included in the bags. “One time the bag had dried lentils, which I like, but I had never thought about some of the seasonings they suggested. That was fun.” Both ladies also note that fresh fruits and vegetables are among their favorite things to receive in their grocery bags. Peggy recounts the time that she received fresh raspberries and was so pleased that she called the Food Shuttle office to thank them. “One time, I got a fresh cabbage!” Faye remembers. These fruits and vegetables allow Peggy and Faye to create meals that are both delicious and nutritious.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the community would come together to cook and eat meals using the ingredients from their grocery bags. Sharon, the site manager for the community, explains, “People who maybe didn’t know how to cook or prepare something could learn.” Peggy and Faye both fondly remember a community meal with crockpots of chili prepared by various residents. “That was awesome,” Sharon says. “And it was all thanks to the Food Shuttle.” Since the pandemic started, such meals have been curtailed, but the community still shares their unneeded items. Grocery bag items that community members might not like or be able to eat due to dietary restrictions are placed in a multipurpose room and made available for others to pick up. Sharon explains, “Everything gets used. Nothing gets thrown out. It gets put in the multipurpose room and shared and used.”
Peggy enjoys greeting the volunteers who come to deliver her grocery bags. “Some of them bring their children, and I think that’s wonderful,” she says. “It really teaches them that spirit of giving.” This spirit of giving is very important to Peggy: She explains that when her children were young, she would take them to volunteer at a local shelter on holidays. Both Peggy and Faye express their gratitude for the volunteers that make this program possible. “People are really grateful. Especially now, as things have gotten harder and harder,” Peggy says. “The cost of everything has gone up so high,” Faye agrees. “Every little bit helps.” When asked if she had a message for Food Shuttle volunteers who pack and deliver the bags of food, Faye says, “Thank you. I appreciate you very much. That food really comes in handy.”
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle volunteers make a difference in the lives of community members like Peggy and Faye. We are always in need for volunteers for this program, since Grocery Bags For Seniors go out every week. If you are interested in volunteering to pack and/or deliver Grocery Bags for Seniors as an individual or as a group, sign up here.