Volunteer Delivery Drivers

The Humanitarian Service Project

Senior Citizen Project

Peggy

Receiving Groceries Since 2005

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

          Peggy was born July 14, 1928, and grew up in Brookfield, Illinois, and has not moved very far all these years, having lived most of her life in Downers Grove. Peggy was married in 1950 and raised two beautiful daughters, despite the challenge of an unhappy marriage, before divorcing her husband in 1988. One of her daughters lives in Ottawa, Illinois, and the other lives in Kansas. As is the case for many of our seniors, Peggy’s daughters are very busy with their own families, and are disappointingly unable to help Peggy, except for a comforting and greatly-needed occasional visit or phone call. Both of Peggy’s parents lived into their 80s, but their passing left her with a feeling of painful loneliness. They were very close and loved each other a great deal. Being an only child, Peggy lacked the comfort of any brothers or sisters to help her survive the great loss of both parents within a five-year span.

          Peggy has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  She speaks of her family with great pride and love, but also with a sadness that reflects her realization that due to such limited contact with her daughters, she will miss most of her grandchildrens' lives as they grow up. She’s grateful, though, for what little contact she does have with them.

          She has recently moved to a new building, operated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, that is specially designed for senior citizens, and includes monitors, pull cords, and bathroom safety bars. She tells us how very happy she is with the building’s social opportunities, including special activities, regular crafts classes, and even an exercise room. Living in this special building is wonderful for Peggy, as she suffers from many health problems, including diabetes, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, asthma, emphysema, dizziness, cataract surgery in both eyes, and problems with walking. Peggy loves to read her large-print books (anything but mysteries and romance novels), watch television and movies, listen to big band and classical music, and take pictures from the windows of her 7th-floor apartment.

          From her monthly Social Security check of $1,122, Peggy spends $251 immediately to pay her rent. Other regular monthly expenses, including medical insurance, life insurance, and utilities, total $771. In 2005, Peggy spent over $3,000 from her own pocket for her prescription drugs, and expects to be left with a bill of over $12,000 from her most recent stay in the hospital. Her health problems also limit her ability to walk around large grocery stores.

           Fortunately, Peggy will never have to worry about where her next meal will come from. She loves receiving her 90 lbs. of food, including five fresh fruits, six fresh vegetables, seven frozen meats, non-perishable goods, and paper products. It’s important to her, not just because she needs the food, but because it is delivered right to her door by a dedicated volunteer who gives her a monthly visit to look forward to. This saves her the ordeal of having to physically struggle to get around a store with the meager sum she has to work with, never being able to purchase the items we take for granted.
 

Things to remember about Peggy:

• Her birthday is July 14, 1928.

• Her income is $1,044 a month.

• She loves to read and take pictures.

• Her favorite colors are blue and yellow.

• Her favorite flowers are lilacs.