Volunteer Delivery Drivers

The Humanitarian Service Project

Senior Citizen Project

Janet

Receiving Groceries Since 1999

Monthly deliveries include:

7 selections of fresh vegetables

6 selections of fresh fruits

7 varieties of frozen meats

5 bags of non-perishables

1 bag of paper products and personal care items

Gifts from a Secret Pal

          It is often said that we don’t hold enough reverence for our elderly in this society. Too many of our parents and grandparents are leading lonely lives without the energy or ability to meet their basic needs. We here at HSP see this very thing too often. Senior citizens with no one to turn to and no one to talk to. Your sponsored senior, 69 year old Janet is a perfect example of why we are so grateful when supporters like you, Sheri, join with us to bring support and dignity to the life of a senior who truly deserves and needs it. It has already been a full year since we last gave you an update on Janet, so we thought you’d be interested to learn a little more about this woman for whom we share a common concern.

          Janet has not always had a lonely and impoverished existence. As a child growing up in Chicago she found companionship in her sister. The two of them spent a great deal of time having youthful adventures in their neighborhood of the city. When Janet was married, she and her new husband moved to the suburb of Elmhurst, which they thought would be a wonderful place to raise their four children. Janet was happy with her family, but eleven years ago her husband passed away. The house she once shared with so many close companions suddenly seemed empty and desolate with the love of her life gone and her children all moved away. Janet was forced to leave the
comfort of her family home.

          Janet now lives in a senior living complex in Downers Grove. Her physical health has deteriorated as she has grown older. As you know, arthritis makes it difficult for Janet to perform many day to day tasks and her recently diagnosed diabetes forces her to be very careful what she eats. Pain in her feet, panic attacks and depression only compound the problems of having to survive such illness and despair on a meager $550 a month income. Janet can’t even count on the support of her children saying that she often doesn’t hear from them for weeks or months at a time.

          Despite her depression, those who talk to Janet say that she has a lot to offer in a friendship. She is truly thankful for the delicious food which is delivered to her door from HSP each month. She said “I depend on the monthly delivery and love everything I get!” None of this would be possible without your support. For the last four years you have helped bring nourishment to this wonderful woman who so desperately needs us to work together on her behalf.

          Perhaps even more important, however, you have helped to bring dignity to a senior citizen by reminding her that there are people out there who really care about her well-being. As Janet grows older we feel truly blessed that we can serve as guardian angels to her, bringing food and personal care items to her door and providing comfort for her in her winter years.
 

Things to remember about Janet:

• Janet was born on October 8, 1938
• Her favorite colors are jade green, turquoise and coral
• Her monthly income is $550
• She loves Fannie Mae Turtles or Creams, and Corn Flakes