Brenda lives on a fixed income in the small town of Elsberry. The 73-year-old grandmother relies on The Care Service Food Pantry in Elsberry to make ends meet.
“The pantry has helped a lot because groceries were getting higher and my income doesn’t allow me to get some of those things,” said Brenda, who attends the pantry regularly. “There’s usually fresh fruit, bread, and cereals. Sometimes they have nuts or something that I would bypass at the grocery store because it would be an extra thing that I wouldn’t have to have.”
Without the Elsberry Food Pantry, Brenda would have to spend more of her limited income on groceries. “Then there’d be less for everything else,” she said.
The recent flood in Elsberry affected many families like Brenda’s. Facing the challenge of rebuilding their community, local families and The Care Service are working together through the difficult time. Through our Elsberry Pantry, local families were able to save on groceries and cleaning supplies for flood relief. Bug sprays distributed at the pantry also played a vital role immediately after the flood, when standing water created a breeding ground for mosquitoes. As part of the long-term recovery committee, The Care Service is committed to ensuring continued support for the people of Elsberry most impacted by the flood. Case Management was provided to multiple Elsberry families, making sure that they have access to clothing and furniture, as well as other resources needed for rebuilding their lives.
Care Service staff and volunteers take time to get to know clients and their families. “They know what we like. Sometimes Vicki (staff) would be like, ‘Brenda, we’ve got some coffee for you today,’ and that means a lot to me.”
Things may be difficult, but with a little help from The Care Service and familiar faces of our caring staff and volunteers, Brenda knows she has the support she needs to move forward with confidence.