Great-grandparents don’t necessarily expect to raise their grandkids but that is what happened to some recent OACAC clients. Their retirement home is a large travel trailer, really meant just for grandma and grandpa. Circumstances developed that meant they needed to include their two great grandkids, ages seven and nine, to the travel trailer and make it home for four and forget retirement.
Young boys eat pretty much all day. So, grandpa and grandma Estevan and Barbara Garcia purchased more food and found themselves cooking two and three times a day. It was hot in the travel trailer. Their budget hadn’t included enough food for two growing boys. The boys had limited clothing and these boys were getting dirty daily as they played. No washer and dryer in a travel trailer and two seniors in retirement had only needed occasional trips to the laundromat. Barbara tried hand washing the clothes. There were many more hours of work than what she was accustomed and grandpa has some physical hurdles which limits how much he can help. He does supervise the boys and helps keep them entertained but this family of four was much more active than the Garcia’s were as retired seniors.
They felt a need for help and came to the Neighborhood Center. An air conditioner was provided through the Easy Access Heat Relief purchased with grant funds from Marshfield Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Cooking wasn’t quite so hot now. An extra bag of food was sent home along with information on applying for SNAP. A list of People’s Pantries and local food distribution were included too. Some information on local resources for grandparent raising grandkids were shared with the clients.
Within a few days the clients called and said they were so excited. They had used the resource materials provided by the Neighborhood Center. The boys now had several changes of clothes. They had received some more food to stretch until the SNAP application was processed. There were even “good snacks”
the boy especially enjoyed. Two futons were provided for sleeping. Overall there was much needed and appreciated support.
Barbara called and asked if it would be possible to use senior funds, to purchase a portable washer so she could more easily keep up with the increased laundry. She had found one online that would fit next to the sink in the travel trailer. The paperwork was completed and the portable washer was purchased.
Senior funds are provided through the Webster County Senior Citizen Services Fund Board. The following week she contacted the Neighborhood Center again with an abundance of thanks. She was thrilled with the little washer and with all the help we provided.
“I am a happy camper,” Barbara exclaimed.
For more information on senior funds, contact OACAC at 417-859-4589.
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