"LaVerna" is an amazing cook. Ask anyone who has been to her house for dinner! But, as senior citizens, she and her husband, "Gerald", live on a very tight budget. She is able to feed her passion for cooking by diligently shopping the sales and best deals at QFC, Safeway and Fred Meyer. She manages to feed both of them for less than $40 a week! It takes time and forethought, but she loves to see her husband's face light up when he tastes her masterpieces! But, both Laverna and Gerald are in the high risk category and they haven't been able to go out and shop the sales. Without the ability to go from store to store and mine for those deals, their food bills skyrocketed.
As a result, they were not only missing their gourmet meals, they were missing meals all together! When they heard that the local Senior Center was helping the elderly by sending volunteers to access the food bank and deliver the food to their porch, she was amazed! POM's food bank sees several of these kind volunteers each week, picking up food for those who cannot get out. For Laverna and Gerald, it's been a huge blessing! She called us the other day, just to tell us about the amazing chicken soup she made with last week's food bags. As we listened to her story, our hearts once again filled with gratitude for this community that gathers tightly around each other to ensure no one need go hungry.
Thank you. Yes, you, who took the time to read this and those who will share it. And you who will say a little prayer for Laverna and Gerald tonight. We need all of the above. Thank you for standing beside us as we navigate this crazy, uncertain time.