I had the opportunity to get to know some elderly folks lately who are in their 70’s and how their life is financially right now. It was sad for them…but encouraging for preppers in a way.

For about 5 years they were paying their bills but little left over to do anything significant with.

Let me explain…

• They are mortgage free,
• They are mostly debt free,
• They own their two older vehicles outright,
• They have a small emergency fund,
• They rarely, very rarely, eat out,
• The live on two social security checks…one from each of them,
• The don’t live anywhere near what anyone would consider extravagant. I would say they live very modestly.

So what’s the problem? They simply can’t get by anymore. Their living expenses have now surpassed their social security checks. It has gotten to the point where they are now eating their food storage…and not replacing it…as of the first of March.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food rose by 3.1% from December 2024 to December 2025. Common grocery items have risen between 7 – 30% in the last year. But there’s more that was affecting them they said. To check it out I ran some numbers…

The picture for them became pretty clear…they are hurting. Their financial situation might not be dire but it is tenuous. I asked them why did they start eating their food storage. They explained to me that they had acquired a couple of years worth of food storage over the years, a pretty well-rounded food storage overall. They had designated it in groupings for “emergencies, disasters, and grid-down”. Yup, they follow my website. They told me they had hit an “emergency” point…they simply were running out of money at the end of the moth. While it was not a huge amount, they felt that eating some of their food storage would “ease the pain” financially…leaving them another $100 or so more at the end of the month.

They had already started frequenting a local food bank when there was free bread available. And occasionally they were getting free meals at a local senior citizen center.

The more they talked the more upset – depressed – angry – stressed – disappointed – I got. Here are a couple of elderly folks, worked their whole life, paid into the system, played by the rules, supported their government (local, state, and federal), did everything that was asked of them…and here they are…eating their food storage.

Now, I commend them for taking proactive steps prior to their food storage usage. I also praise them for having food storage to use. Where would they be without it? Well, I did some more research…there are 50million people in the US that are “food insecure”…about 13% of US families can’t afford a reasonable amount of food for a decent diet.

Then I decided to look at the US poverty stats. The poverty level in the US is about $1,330 per month. Guess how many US citizens live at or below the poverty level? 11% of the US population. So I decided to double that amount of monthly income…$2,600 per month…to see what happened. Guess how many families live on $2,600 per month or less? Approximately 30% of US families!!! Think about that for a minute…could you live on $2,600 per month for your family?

I was…am…sick to my stomach over this. Especially, this couple whom I know personally, eating their food storage to keep their heads above water financially. Then again…the numbers are all showing that the economics in the US are bad, have been bad, and are getting worse…really worse. And to make things even worse…the longer the war goes on the worse it could get exponentially…or collapse altogether.

Here is what I am going to ask of you…

First off, let me explain something, two years ago we were helping feed 3 related families here locally. We provided them large amounts of fresh produce and fruit from our glamstead. Their need was brought to our attention and we responded. However, we found out in the fall that their situation was not nearly as bad as was represented to us. A family member was a retired professional and was able to provide all the financial assistance needed…they didn’t need our food. We kinda got suckered a little bit…lesson learned.

So last year we donated all our extra produce to a local senior center that provides meals to seniors and food boxes to the elderly. It went directly to those in need and was gratefully accepted. We will do the same this year.

Additionally, this year we provided raspberry and blackberry starts to several families in our immediate area. I also started way more seedlings that what we intend to plant in our raised beds, there will be about  4 or 5 dozen extra vegetable plants that we will give away so people can grow their own food. Also, any additional produce and fruit will go to the senior center again.

The request…I am asking you to do something similar if you at all can:

• Give away any extra starter plants you might have,
• Donate extra produce and fruit that you grow,
• Donate money and/or canned goods to food banks,
• Donate clothing and household items to church’s and other organizations that provide those items to families in need.

There are large number of families, including those with children, that need help…serious help, real help. We live in terrible economic times but some of us are blessed…some with extra money, some with excess orchard and garden produce, some with time. Please donate whatever you can to whomever you can.

The government is not coming to save anyone. We must rely on and save each other.

1 Corinthians 13 : 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Please, please…people need your help…people need your love…people need your charity. Have faith…help them.

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