Ed spent his entire life working as a mechanic for a trucking company and supporting his family comfortably. When Ed was ready to retire, he went to his financial advisors and they told him everything he’d been saving over the years had been lost due to a few bad investments.
“I spent my life savings,” said Ed. “And just like that, everything in my retirement fund was gone. I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Many years later, Ed lives on his fixed social security income and some months must choose between paying bills and buying his groceries. At 78-years-old, Ed had to do the hardest thing he could have imagined—ask for help.
“I came to the pantry to try and supplement my income a little,” said Ed. “I like to eat healthy, and I couldn’t believe the fresh vegetables, fruits and meat they had at the pantry.”
Once a month, Ed visits Buckeye Christian Assembly, a member hunger-relief program of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Walking out of the pantry, Ed has two bags full of frozen meat, fresh breads and nutritious vegetables—and most importantly, he has one less thing to worry about.
“While this food helps me make ends meet, the best thing about this pantry are the people,” said Ed. “They all go out of their way for you, and I couldn’t ask for more good, more friendly people."