Sue is a widow who has an income right at the poverty line. Carol, who’s 103, has severely limited vision and does not drive and still lives alone. Two other women, Mary and Kathy, are sole caregivers for their aging husbands.
These are just a few of our many friends and neighbors in the Hancock County area who do not have consistent access to nutritious food to lead a healthy life.
Food insecurity can happen to any of us, and our community has been fortunate to have the Hancock County Food Pantry, which was established 25 years ago by concerned citizens who came together to alleviate hunger in our area. This effort is possible because of the many volunteers who give their time and energy, as well as support from Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. Gleaners is one of the sources of food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, for the Hancock County Food Pantry.
Gleaners also works with the Hancock County Food Pantry to organize Senior Mobile Pantries. These monthly Senior Mobile Pantries are designed to give older adults access to nutritious foods that meet their dietary and personal needs as well as provide seniors with assistance that falls outside of the reach of other agencies in the area. Recently, Gleaners announced that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is committing $1.5 million over the next three years to help the food bank in fulfilling its mission.
As a volunteer at the food pantry for more than 10 years, I have seen how support of Gleaners translates into support of our work here locally. I have also seen how these Senior Mobile Pantries are more than just a place to get canned goods and fresh food. The Hancock County Food Pantry also offers nourishment for our community’s soul and helps to strengthen our community.
Our “community” of Senior Mobile clients have shared in the death of spouses and cried together. We have watched our clients bring their parents to the food pantry each month but continue to come after their parents pass away. They now bring a new friend (who needed transportation) they had met previously through the Senior Mobile. Our volunteers have the opportunity to love on the grandchildren that many older clients bring with them to the food pantry each month, as many of them raise their grandchildren in their own homes. Each month, our Senior Mobile clients share recipes, homemade treats, pictures of family, and stories about their lives.
Anthem’s sponsorship helps to make it possible for me and the volunteers at Hancock County Food Pantry to help our neighbors improve their health and well-being through these Senior Mobile Pantries. Anthem is also at many of the Senior Mobile Pantries to be a resource to residents who want to better understand their health insurance options.
I encourage members of our community to consider volunteering at our food pantry so they can see how they can put a smile on the faces of our community’s senior members — people who have given so much to this world.
Liz Rusche has volunteered at the Hancock County Food Pantry for more than 10 years and has served as a food pantry board member for seven years. Liz and her husband, Steve, are lifelong residents of Hancock County and are the parents of four sons. For more information on getting involved in the mission of the Hancock County Food Pantry, visit hancockcountyfoodpantry.com/volunteer-opportunities/. Send comments to [email protected].
