Volunteer Delivery Drivers

The Humanitarian Service Project

Senior Citizen Project

Wilma

Receiving Groceries Since 1997

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

          The individuals enrolled in our Senior Citizen Project often live in such dire circumstances that it is a wonder to us that they don’t abandon all hope. To our amazement, many of them maintain such charmingly positive attitudes that it inspires us to try to dwell less on the negative aspects of our own lives. It’s so easy for all of us to get bogged down thinking about all the problems in our lives, but to encounter someone who lives with poverty which we can barely comprehend, yet who is still able to maintain a sanguine outlook on life, puts our own problems into perspective. One senior who comes to mind is Wilma. 79-year-old Wilma has lived a difficult life, but in all of her years she has never let her problems weigh her down. She remains as vital and energetic as ever today.

          A native of Mississippi, Wilma moved to Chicago at the age of 22 because “that’s where everyone seemed to be going.” Already married with children, the transition wasn’t always easy. Wilma’s husband worked in a radio and T.V. store to support the family, but passed away suddenly when their youngest daughter was only six years old. Wilma worked two jobs, night and day, to make ends meet for her children. Even through all of this, she optimistically says, raising her ten children was “no problem!”

          As Wilma grew older, she found all of her children scattering throughout the country. Now, only one lives anywhere near her. She almost never sees the rest of her children. She is proud that she still does all of her own cooking and cleaning. Despite her arthritis and her bad back (she has had two major surgeries on it, where five discs were removed) she says that she still gets down on her hands and knees to scrub the floor.

         Her financial situation continues to be bleak. She only receives $500 a month from Social Security, but $100 of that goes to rent each month, with even more going to pay for utilities. Her children are all living with financial burdens of their own and are unable to help out. One of her daughters is on active duty in Iraq, and Wilma has been very scared about this. Another daughter has a husband who is in jail. She has many heartbreaking stories to tell.

          Miraculously, however, Wilma remains as upbeat and positive as ever. She is a very social person and loves to talk. She spends her days “looking for somebody to bug” when she gets bored. She also loves all of the food she receives from HSP, saying that she’s “crazy for the fruits and vegetables.” She even put a picture of the HSP staff up on her refrigerator! We feel truly fortunate to be able to bring such a warm and wonderful woman the comfort she needs in her winter years. Together, Emily, we can keep giving Wilma a reason to smile each day.

Things to Remember About Wilma:
• Wilma’s birthday is June 25, 1928.
• Her monthly income is $500.
• She likes word searches and playing bingo.
• She says that everyone on her floor comes to her with their problems.