I Never Expected to Need Help

“I never expected to need help. I was always able to take care of myself,” said Patricia, who spent four days in a coma due to a brain aneurysm and now must follow a strict diet.

She retired, thinking she had enough money through savings and social security. But double-digit inflation changed everything – as the price of food, medicine and bills shot up. “The dollar isn’t the same as when I retired,” she said. “I thought I would be OK. But I was wrong. I can’t buy what I used to.”

When she worked at a retirement community, Patricia had heard that struggling seniors were going to St. Mary’s Food Bank for food assistance. Remembering this brought her to St. Mary’s for the first time just a few weeks ago. She was happy to see the nutritious food she was given.

So many of the new neighbors we see coming to St. Mary’s for the first time are seniors. After working their whole lives and thinking they were set for their retirement, rampant inflation has turned their worlds upside down.

“I saw first-hand what St. Mary’s did for other people – they really help a lot of seniors,” she said. “I might be able to go back to work part-time, but in the meantime, the senior food boxes certainly help.”

If not for you and your support, many of our senior neighbors would have nowhere to turn for help. THANK YOU!