“Melody” is the epitome of the word thrift. After working for many years and earning her eligibility for social security, she “retired” and was living simply on $800 a month, stretching it as far as it could go, seemingly with magic. She had it figured down to the very last penny! When her rent was raised to over $700 a month a few years ago, she just whipped out her magic wand and stretched that check even further. She had a little utility assistance from the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and simply never turned on the heat except in extreme cold, just enough to keep the pipes from freezing. She didn’t have a phone, internet or TV, and she was able to feed herself on what she received from the food bank. She didn’t drive unless she absolutely had to and had minimal insurance. We began to see Melody every week at food bank. She would arrive with her big smile and give everyone around her a big dose of sunshine as she passed by. Her joy in life was infectious! In time, we got to know Melody and she shared her situation. We encouraged her to apply for subsidized housing, even though the wait can be VERY long. She agreed. Our case manager set out to find out if the waiting list was open. Yes, you read that right. The wait list for Washington Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program only opens for new applications a few times a year. When it does open (usually for about two weeks at a time) you have to be right there, ready to submit your application. After the open period closes, a certain number of applications are chosen by lottery to be placed on the waiting list. Not all applicants will be drawn. After many months of trying, Melody was lucky enough to have her application drawn; she was on the list! But, it was two long years until she actually received a voucher. During that time, she continued to live frugally on her small income and kept in touch with POM. If she had an unexpected expense (medical, auto, etc.) we would do our best to help her find a solution. Occasionally we paid for a prescription or gave her a gas voucher to get to a doctor appointment. But we never gave up hope that she would someday be able to put a little breathing room into her budget. Then the day came when she was notified that she’d receive a voucher for subsidized rent! What a blessing for an elderly woman who had worked hard and scrimped all of her life! She found a wonderful small apartment that accepts Section 8 vouchers and is now able to afford the luxury of turning on the heat and, she tells us, even read by lamp-light after dark! We still see Melody occasionally as she continues to stretch that budget with occasional food bank visits. And we sure love it when she stops by with her big smile and pours out a little sunshine on us. We are so grateful to you, our community, who continues to pour out your own light and compassion on our neighbors like Melody. Thank you