Meet Leo, Robert, and Mrs. A
"CCSC is a lifesaver. It fills in the gaps."
A high percentage of CCSC’s elderly clients live on fixed incomes, including social security, which can be quickly depleted even in a typical month. In times of unexpected crisis and inflation, these seniors often have a hard time paying their bills. But because of you, our struggling neighbors can come to CCSC for help with food and basic needs.
Leo is 85 years old and has trouble paying for both food and medicine. “I need help sometimes,” Leo said. “My social security is only $1,000 a month. It’s hard.”
Leo received food from CCSC, freeing up grocery money for his much-needed medicines. He also received information on rent, utility, and pharmacy assistance.
Robert first visited CCSC's food pantry in 2023, when a reduction of SNAP benefits combined with higher food prices made it difficult for him to pay for food.
"You have to make do with what you've got and it's hard," said Robert, a 70-year-old retired concrete worker. "Rent, electricity, gas, food, it's all gone up. And prices aren't coming down that I can see.
"I've cut out a whole lot of my food and try to make what I have last all month," Robert added. "CCSC is a lifesaver. It fills in the gaps."
Severe weather events also can impact older clients in significant ways. In the weeks after 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, CCSC saw an uptick in the number of seniors requesting financial assistance for rent and utilities.
"Mrs. A" was one of those clients. In the three days it took for her to get a plumber out to fix a water leak, her water bill shot up to $6,000. Her bill is typically about $28 a month.
Although Mrs. A worked with the city to reduce the bill, the resulting $2,400 total was still more than she could pay—and the city wanted 25% of the balance to keep the water service connected. That's when she called CCSC.
CCSC helped Mrs. A make her utility payment to keep her water service connected.
"Assisting our elders in their time of need is an honor and a blessing for the Emergency Services program," said Emergency Services-Southwest Manager Pat Weatherspoon-Hall. "We are grateful to have the resources that allow us to serve seniors in need.”
