More Than a Meal: Hunger Action Month with Northland Shepherd’s Centers
Northland Shepherd’s Centers focus on enhancing the quality of life for older adults through enrichment programs, volunteer opportunities, and nutrition support. Its Meals on Wheels program and food assistance efforts ensure that seniors, who are often among the most vulnerable to food insecurity, have access to regular, nutritious meals and companionship.
The organization shared the following story with United Way about the impact its pantry has on the lives and vitality of older adults in our community.
Plate of Hope Pantry was the first pantry Madeliene has even been able to access due to the fact her disability prevents her from standing and waiting in lines to enter a facility for food sources. Staff at Northland Shepherd’s Center say they could hear her voice crack over the phone as she teared up eating a fresh honeydew melon the staff at the center had hand cut for her earlier that day.
Madeliene explained she had been unable to handle a knife due to her disability, preventing her from cutting into a melon. She shared this was the first melon she had eaten in more than ten years. She described the taste as so sweet and even better than she remembered. She expressed her thanks over and over again for the opportunity to access fresh produce a the Plate of Hope and to have caring staff and volunteers help her ‘shop’ and load things into her vehicle. She especially loved the camaraderie and support she received from those working at the pantry. As a former customer service representative, she loves people and getting acquainted with the staff and volunteers was a great bonus to shopping at the pantry.
Madeliene now looks forward to every visit, not just for the food assistance, but to feel connected and valued. She felt each person took a personal interest in her and were so eager to be a blessing to her. In sharing her appreciation for the cut melon and staff going the extra mile, she shared that Plate of Hope Pantry was at the heart of her gratitude, thanksgiving, and she shared a prayer to bless the programs and people she knows rely on Shepherd’s Center programs and services, including Plate of Hope.
You can join the fight against hunger by donating to support United Way and our partner organizations and volunteering your time to help pack, serve, and distribute food. Every meal makes a difference. Together, we can create a Kansas City where no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from.