When Linda retired, she thought she had carefully planned for the years ahead.
Her Social Security and modest savings were enough to cover her rent, utilities, medications, and groceries. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was stable.
Then her two grandchildren came to live with her.
Overnight, Linda went from cooking for one to feeding three growing people. The grocery bill she had once carefully budgeted for suddenly doubled - sometimes tripled - as she tried to keep up with school lunches, after-school snacks, and dinners that would stretch until the end of the week.
Fresh fruit became a luxury.
Meat was reserved for special occasions.
And there were days Linda quietly skipped meals so her grandchildren wouldn’t have to.
She never expected to be raising children again in her retirement years. And she certainly never expected to worry about whether there would be enough food in the house.
Through CAPTAIN Community Human Services’ Emergency Food & Hygiene Pantry, Linda was able to access the emergency groceries her family needs to stay healthy, without sacrificing her own well-being in the process.
But her story is far from unique.
A Growing Responsibility for Grandparents
Across our community, more grandparents are stepping in to raise grandchildren due to family hardship, illness, or other unexpected challenges. While they do so out of love and commitment, many are living on fixed incomes that were never intended to support an entire household.
When the cost of groceries rises (as it has significantly in recent years), the impact on these families can be immediate.
For older adults balancing housing costs, healthcare expenses, and the daily needs of growing children, even small increases at the checkout line can force difficult decisions:
Do you refill a prescription or buy fresh produce?
Do you pay the utility bill or stock up on school lunches?
Do you make meals stretch... or go without yourself?
For grandparents doing their best to provide stability, these are not choices anyone should have to make.
Food Insecurity Affects the Whole Household
When families lack reliable access to nutritious food, the consequences extend far beyond hunger.
Children may struggle to concentrate in school.
Older adults may delay or skip medications to save money.
Stress levels rise, impacting both physical and emotional health.
And for grandparents already navigating the challenges of parenting a second time, these pressures can feel overwhelming.
Your Support Helps Families Stay Nourished
At CAPTAIN CHS, we believe in lifting people up and building brighter futures and that begins with ensuring families have access to basic necessities like food.
Support from neighbors like you helps stock the shelves at our Emergency Food & Hygiene Pantry, providing emergency supplies of groceries and hygiene items to grandparents and caregivers working hard to keep their families safe and stable.
Because when caregivers don’t have to choose between feeding their grandchildren and caring for their own health, the entire household benefits.
Your generosity helps ensure that families like Linda’s can stay together, stay healthy, and focus on what matters most: building a stable future for the children in their care.
And most importantly, it reminds them that they are not facing these challenges alone.
