After her husband passed away and her pension proved insufficient to cover rising food costs, she reluctantly contacted Kerr Street Mission for assistance.

“I was embarrassed,” Margaret admits. “I’d volunteered at food banks myself years ago, but being on the other side felt different.”

What Margaret discovered was a transformed food bank experience. Thanks to Feed Halton’s delivery partnership with Food for Life, Kerr Street Mission could offer Margaret home delivery of fresh groceries, eliminating the transportation barrier that had kept her isolated.

“The first delivery included fresh vegetables I hadn’t been able to afford in months,” she recalls. “But what touched me most was the volunteer who delivered them. She asked about my dietary needs and actually listened.”

The reliable weekly deliveries, made possible by Feed Halton’s coordination with agency partners, allowed Margaret to maintain her independence while ensuring proper nutrition. The delivery volunteers became a social connection she looked forward to each week.

“I’ve started cooking again,” Margaret says with pride. “Last week, I made a big pot of soup with the fresh vegetables and invited my neighbor over. Food banks shouldn’t just feed people – they should help them live with dignity. That’s what Feed Halton makes possible.”

Margaret has since become a phone volunteer for Kerr Street Mission, using her experience to help other seniors navigate food assistance programs with confidence.