Dottie and Valerie often come to the monthly walk-in distribution at the Butler City Farmers Market together, picking out the fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins that will help keep them nourished and healthy.
The pair met through church, which was a true blessing for Valerie, who doesn’t drive. She relies on Dottie to bring her and always looks forward to coming.
“I was able to pick out what I needed and what I didn’t want,” Valerie says. “It was perfect.”
Dottie is retired, but still works one day a week. “I am on social security and a fixed income, and this has really made a difference in my life,” she says.
In addition to her own food, Dottie picks up boxes of meat and fresh produce for people who are unable to get to the distribution — something she says she started doing years ago.
“I pick up six shares, so then I deliver because transportation and timing is an issue. And sometimes we take everything that they give, and then we help even more people by taking this to our church care pantry,” Dottie explains.
Dottie and Valerie both appreciate the nutritious food that supplements what they can afford to buy in the store. And they are thankful for the donors and volunteers who help bring the distribution to their community.
“For us that are on fixed income, it really, really makes a difference. It really stretches the food budget, and the costs in the grocery stores are skyrocketing,” Dottie says. “Also it’s giving me an opportunity to volunteer as I deliver to all the different families.”