On a typical day, Peggy Nelson loads a Food Bank of the Rockies van with boxes of food and sets out across the Denver Metro region, following a route she’s driven many times before over the past 12 years. She’s delivering food to older neighbors in our community facing hunger.
“I love bringing happiness to people, and it brings happiness to me” Peggy says as she prepares for the day’s food deliveries.
The food boxes are delivered through our Everyday Eats program, which provides nutritious food at no cost to income-qualifying individuals at least 60 years of age, with the goal of improving health by providing key nutrients. Also known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Everyday Eats is administered at the federal level by the USDA.
Older adults who receive food may face barriers such as limited mobility, health concerns, and fixed incomes. These challenges make it difficult for many older adults to consistently access nutritious food — a growing issue as food costs rise and resources remain strained.
At each stop, Peggy is greeted with a smile and brief conversation. “Some of them will go, ‘I was just needing this today.’ They just wouldn’t get by without it.”
“Just being friendly, putting a smile on your face, and showing you care,” is how Peggy connects with our older neighbors.