Helen’s Story

Winter is the most difficult time of year for seniors and others who are living on a fixed income. When the weather turns cold, there’s simply not enough money to heat their homes — and also buy food.

Helen knows all too well what a struggle it can be to get by. After losing her husband to cancer, money has always been tight. Now she suffers health problems of her own and making ends meet isn’t easy. “Towards the end of the month, you’re trying to stretch every little dollar,” she says. “The last week is a nightmare.”

To help seniors like Helen, the Greater Boston Food Bank’s Brown Bag program operates at 15 partner sites across Eastern Massachusetts and provides free, healthy groceries to more than 8,500 seniors in need each month.

Helen said that the support from GBFB’s donors means more to her than you may ever know. “I hope someday the donors realize what they have done,” she said. “Believe me, I’m very grateful.”