There is none so blind, as those who cannnot see--or don't even look!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (38840)
November 21, 2023 1:42pm CST
I feel bad about not knowing this lady was pretty much out of food. I never think to ask, because I've never done that, I respect personal space. But maybe I should have noticed somehow.
My neighbor called to check on me and ask about my son as well. She does that every so often. She is 80 and doesn't drive, there is just her, and her kitty. I think she's lonely.
For once I was home and we chatted for a bit. She has been having dizzy spells, she said. I did some discreet asking of questions and discovered she had almost NO food. She spent all of her money this month on medications not covered by Medicare that her doctor told her she had to have. Even with Good RX, she is still broke until she gets her Social Security. I took a bag of food over there--hey, I'm not rich, but I would like to think if I were hungry, someone would share with me. Then I took her to the community center food pantry and they gave her a lot of food, yay!!
This really put it in perspective just how hard it can really be for some. We are all struggling with the cost of food. She just gets her Social Security and it's not much, plus she gets $23 per month in LINK (like food stamps). Well, $23 per month isn't going to buy her very much, no matter how good the sales are!!
Maybe we all have a neighbor who needs a bit of help. It really hurt to know she was dizzy from being hungry.
Pixabay image
22 people like this
21 responses
@Juliaacv (51538)
• Canada
21 Nov 23
That was both kind as well as helpful.
I worked with someone once whose partner walked out on her and her teenage daughter.
On Saturday morning when I got my groceries I also got a week’s worth of groceries for her and her daughter. Lots of milk and meat.
5 people like this
@Juliaacv (51538)
• Canada
21 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle She was a co-worker, who was a very strong person, but she literally had no money, she didn't even have a car to drive herself to and from work, she always called me for a ride. It couldn't have been easy for her.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
@Juliaacv
Women who have the fear of being abandoned with nothing, as in the cases of your friend, often will stay in a really bad relationship to be able to avoid a situation like this. I have a friend who stayed with an abusive, hateful husband for years while she worked and went to college online, as she didn't think she could make it alone with the kids. Once she got the degree, he left. I don't know what was said, all I know is that I was just glad he didn't kill her, he truly had a temper.
No matter how bad we have it, we seem to be at the point that someone else has worse problems. Once again, today was one of those days that I wished for that elusive magic wand!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
21 Nov 23
I just felt so bad for her.
That was a lovely thing you did. I am sure the mother truly appreciated it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
21 Nov 23
Honestly, I just felt so bad for her. Worked all of her life, has no living family, and she was hungry and didn't want to bother anyone about it.
I honestly just posted about it to possibly raise awareness of anyone else having a hungry, elderly neighbor. Thank you.
3 people like this
@marguicha (223874)
• Chile
21 Nov 23
I try to help within my means but many times I´m sure that I´m not aware of the needs of other people.
Last year I became aware of the problems one of my friends has. She is almost blind but doesn´t have the money to work less. Last year, for her birthday, she invited me as her only friend for ice cream with her children. I discovered that she was worried about how much she would have to spend (her son later told her that he was inviting) and so I told them to stop by in a near supermarket on their way to my home and invited them all for a sort of cocktail. On seeing that she was so happy, this year I´m giving a tiny party for her at my house for her birthday. She is elated!
Last year I became aware of the problems one of my friends has. She is almost blind but doesn´t have the money to work less. Last year, for her birthday, she invited me as her only friend for ice cream with her children. I discovered that she was worried about how much she would have to spend (her son later told her that he was inviting) and so I told them to stop by in a near supermarket on their way to my home and invited them all for a sort of cocktail. On seeing that she was so happy, this year I´m giving a tiny party for her at my house for her birthday. She is elated!2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
21 Nov 23
That's so nice that you are helping her celebrate her birthday, Marga.
I don't have a lot to help with, either. When I make soups, etc. that my 2 elderly neighbor widowers like, I take them some. I know I cannot feed the neighborhood, but it truly made me feel terrible, that she was dizzy from not enough food.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223874)
• Chile
22 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I think that it will not be too little. And we´ll have fun.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137771)
• United States
21 Nov 23
I'm glad you were able to help her... And I'm glad there's a community center there that could help her, too.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137771)
• United States
21 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I agree... that could have been so bad if you hadn't been home and had the time to actually talk with her.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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22 Nov 23
@DaddyEvil
I'm glad I was, for sure. She was just so happy to have food. I had tears, but I didn't let her see that.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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21 Nov 23
They are going to start delivering food to her since she has no transportation. Sometimes I am gone for several days at a time, it's good to know she can call them and they will deliver.
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
22 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I see a food pantry here but I’m not sure how it works. I’m sure they were busy during covid. So many people were out of work.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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22 Nov 23
@RubyHawk
I volunteer at one of our food pantry distributions sometimes--usually just to sit and check off stuff that's delivered once in a while, since I can't really lift and load. The ones near me all encourage anyone who needs them to utilize them. If you have access to one, call them and see if they can help you if you or anyone you know needs some food. No harm in asking!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
She was thrilled to find out they will deliver to her two times per month. I am so glad she went there and got some help.
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
22 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle
Yes, you did what you could for her considering you do not have much money. That was a very good thing you did and also chatting with her is good. I hope others will help her out too. Does she have family that can help her? You are welcome.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
23 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle
I am so sorry she is alone. I bet she appreciated what you did for her and I hope others will do the same for her. You really helped her a lot and I know she appreciates that someone cares. You are right being hungry is not fun.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
Honestly, I would hope anyone would do the same. My reason for posting about this was that I have lived down the street from this lady for years now, and I was completely unaware that she was struggling this hard. We do chat usually once a week or so. I am hoping that by me posting this, maybe some others will look around and see if they have anyone hungry living close to them. This is a nice neighborhood, not rich but nice and well kept. I know I have several really elderly fellows that don't have large incomes, but they have food. I was simply clueless that she was hungry and that was the reason she felt dizzy and sick.
I can't do much, but I can do something. So, I am hoping that if a need is there, someone else might see a similar situation and help someone who is hungry. Thank you.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
21 Nov 23
It does, and it's so sad. I think that she thought she would have enough food to make it until the end of the month, but she miscalculated! I'm just glad we got her some food!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
21 Nov 23
I think she has Medicare/Medicaid. They do not always cover every prescribed medication, if something is experimental or whatever the excuse is, unfortunately.
The old dilemma--buy food or by medications? She chose the meds but I think she regrets that. She thought she had enough food until the end of the month but she didn't.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
@rebelann
Yes, this!!
Any doctor should know that many senior citizens have to make this choice--food or medicine. And yes, without proper nutrition, no medicine in the world is going to save a person.
Any doctor should know that many senior citizens have to make this choice--food or medicine. And yes, without proper nutrition, no medicine in the world is going to save a person.1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108380)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Nov 23
What matters is you helped once you knew. And now can check on her regularly
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108380)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle That is wonderful. It will help her a lot.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
@wolfgirl569
She was so happy and excited, Eva. When I took her home, I helped her carry in the food they gave her. I asked her if she wanted help to put it away, she said thank you, but she wanted to do it herself and look at everything she received again. I cried on the way home.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
21 Nov 23
We signed her up with the food pantry. Found out they will deliver to people without transportation, so she signed up for that. This will help her tremendously.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80884)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Nov 23
Blessings to you for caring about your neighbor, One of the things I always thank the Lord for that with the low finances I have at least I don't need any medications.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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22 Nov 23
Oh, yes, that is wonderful that you don''t have to take any.
And thank you for the sweet blessings, I can't help but think that maybe many of us need to open our eyes and see if we notice someone is hungry, somehow. I think it would have helped her to reach out and ask for help before it got this bad, but she just really thought she would be OK--until the dizzy spells started.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
21 Nov 23
I honestly think the only reason she told me she had no food is that I wanted to take her to urgent care because she was dizzy this morning. I'm glad she did too, because she was hungry!
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220438)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I am glad to hear she appreciated it. It is good to be part of a community.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
She didn't want to tell me she didn't have food. I felt terrible for her. But she was thrilled to get to go to the food pantry--and now, they are going to deliver to her 2 times per month. She was smiling ear to ear over that news! Thanks, Pony.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
@TheHorse
Some people just do not have anyone. Many people who live a long life, end up alone--they have outlived their family and friends. My kids grandparent's are like this. They still have their children and grandchildren, even great grandchildren. But they have outlived all of their friends.
@JudyEv (342277)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle It would be great if there were a few who could share the load of providing support, even if it were mostly moral support.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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22 Nov 23
I made her a list of some places she did not know about, for some more resources. She says she will make some calls. I hope she does, and I am going to ask her . I know a friend of hers invited her for Thanksgiving dinner.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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22 Nov 23
@JudyEv
Yes, it would. I plan on doing some thinking on that, as well. Thank you, Judy. 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
I like to think if I needed food, someone would help me out. No one ever knows what the future holds.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472124)
• Switzerland
23 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle - I am glad she receives some help now. It is the same here for electricity and natural gas, a lot more expensive than in the past.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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22 Nov 23
There is a rescue here that helps with pet food for seniors who have adopted a rescue pet. I called them, and they are going to drop off some kitty food for her, enough to last a month. They will help her if they have food to share. Hopefully this will help her keep going for awhile. Our electric rates here have skyrocketed and heating costs are much more than they have been, so she will not be ahead, but she can keep on going. Thank you, Anna.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
25 Nov 23
@LadyDuck
Everything, everywhere on earth seems to have gone up in price. I just wanted to post about it because I was clueless as to what her situation really was, which made me think that there has to be a lot of other people out there going through the same thing--medicine, or food.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Nov 23
I’m glad you were able to help her out. I, too, have elderly neighbors that I look in on from time to time to make sure they are okay. Both are disabled, so I try to help them in any way I can.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I still believe in community, and neighbors looking out for one another. I know it’s a dying set of beliefs in today’s “me, me, me” world, but I still think we’re better off as a whole when we can all help each other out.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle We should (and must) do a better job of taking care of one another.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
24 Nov 23
She is a very independent person. She told me she was the one who made the decision to get the medicine with the food money, so she didn't want to say anything to anyone. I'm just glad she told me so we could help her. Being hungry isn't fun.
I am glad to hear you help your neighbors, too. I am sure it's much appreciated, Jeff.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
22 Nov 23
Thank you on her behalf for helping.
We need more neighbours like you.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
22 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle Am sure she is grateful to have you near.
Now that you learnt of her situation you can be checking on her when you can.
Does she had grown up kids?
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
•
22 Nov 23
I would like to think that most people would help if they could. I h
gave her a sack of food and took her to get more, none of it was fancy but it was good food and some meats which she badly needed. Thank you.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (182154)
• United States
22 Nov 23
God bless you for getting her some food. I hope you have a good day and a great Thanksgiving.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38840)
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22 Nov 23
I know. It just hurts the heart to even think about it. Thank you, Kandase.
1 person likes this
