Scraping By

If not for your donations to The Salvation Army, Diane, 78, would probably lose the house she’s lived in for 55 years. Or go hungry. Or both.

Like so many other seniors, Diane lives on a fixed income, with a budget that becomes tighter by the day as essential everyday expenses continue to rise.

“There are so many of us seniors who aren’t making it,” said Diane, who spent years working at Control Data – a defunct Minnesota-based computer company – and in childcare before she retired.

She lives on just $968 per month, most of which goes toward paying real estate taxes, utilities, car insurance, and other bills. She can only afford to eat twice per day and fill her car’s gas tank once every two months.

“I don’t drive anywhere unless I have to – just doctor appointments and the food shelf,” Diane said.

The food shelf she visits is The Salvation Army’s food pantry in Burnsville, Minn. She comes once per month for enough groceries to get her through.  

“It’s the best food shelf I’ve ever been to,” Diane said. “I like it because I can shop for the food I want – other food shelves don’t let you pick. Here, it’s like going to the grocery store." 

During each visit, she fills a shopping cart full of fresh vegetables, frozen meats, canned goods, and pasta, along with staples like milk, bread and eggs. She is an efficient shopper, selecting foods that she can use to create meals that last several days – like cassaroles.

“With casseroles, you can take almost any meat and mix it with rice or noodles for a meal that’s warm, filling and nutritious,” she said.

Diane is grateful to The Salvation Army and our donors for providing her with food to eat.

“Thank you to all the people who donate,” she said. “Without you, many of us would be starving. Because of you, I’m still in my house and I’m doing great.”