Sharon T. is trying to enjoy retirement with her husband of 27 years. But the couple’s golden years have sent them over some speed bumps.
“I’m a 1947 Chevy that needs an overhaul, but I’m making it,” Sharon, who is 78-years-old, joked.
She can make light of it now, but Sharon and her 66-year-old husband have had more than their fair share of health struggles the past few years including illness, surgeries, hospitalizations and mobility challenges.
“I was shocked that I wasn’t more prepared for illness during retirement,” Sharon said. “And I was raised that if you can’t afford something, you just give it up. So for me, to ask for help was kind of a hard thing.”
But Sharon’s come to realize she has a lot to be thankful for. She has good neighbors, who look out for her and her husband, bringing meals and stopping by to check in. And the Grandview Assistance Program, a United Way Impact 100 partner, has also come through to support the couple during tough times.
“When you get a cost of living increase for Social Security, they take away your food stamps,” Sharon said. “So, all the folks at Grandview Assistance have been amazing. They’ve really become friends, helping us get through with food and other things when we’ve needed it.”
With medical bills, rising rent and utility costs, keeping up with day-to-day expenses has been a challenge. So when Grandview Assistance Program reached out to share Sharon could be eligible for support from United Way of Greater Kansas City’s debit card initiative, it was a massive relief.
“It helped with gas, because we have to go several places in the city for doctor’s appointments. We could get food, and I was even able to purchase a walker to help me get around—which insurance wouldn’t pay for,” Sharon said.
United Way’s debit card initiative was started two years ago to provide immediate financial assistance as relief from inflation, which had sent grocery, gas, rent and utility costs soaring. During the first round of the program, $1M in funding was granted to 1,025 households. Households were provided a range of $700-$1200 each with no restrictions on how the funds could be spent. However, when following up with recipients, the vast majority of households indicated the dollars were used for basic, everyday expenses like food, transportation, medical care, school supplies, utility bills, rent and childcare.
A second round of the program was rolled out in the spring of 2025 with $850,000 in funding. To date, 20 United Way partner agencies, along with United Way 211 and two United Way direct support programs, have together distributed more than $500,000 in aid to 542 households. Additionally, $14,000 in flood relief assistance was provided through Avenue of Life in Kansas City, Kan., following flash flooding that hit the metro area in July.
“I don’t want to cry, but it makes me really emotional,” Sharon shared. “We get so much negativity in the world. But there are a lot of good people giving to these agencies that want to help and a lot of them even want to remain anonymous. We are very thankful. From the bottom of my heart, I can’t say thank you enough that there are people that care enough to help out.”
Programs like the debit card initiative are only possible thanks to our community’s generous giving. To pledge your support, visit here.