Meet Kathy Maren and Peggy Richard from Verona Walk, Naples

 

Kathy, Why do you do this?

Because I thought it would be something they could use that was not something they normally wouldn’t get in their grocery bags

Peggy, Why do you do this?

For me it started with the COVID lock down and asking myself what am I going to do with all my time… I joined a knitting group and met up with a woman in New Zealand on Facebook who was asking herself the same thing… This an idea we came up with because we both had a large collection of yarn that could be used…. I started knitting when I was 8 and have taught knitting for many years… My 1st project and teaching project is a dishcloth…..

I wanted to do something I could donate to a women’s shelter or food pantry so I got my needles and yarn out and started knitting….
When the amenities opened back up I mentioned to Kathy and what I was going to do with the dishcloths and she wanted to also become involved, did not know who we were going to donate to till Marta Viera came on the scene and said she volunteered for Our Daily Bread so it was decided that would be the group they would go to…. It started as an idea that evolved into a project of love with goods friends just wanting to do something nice for others.
I personally have gotten so much joy from being able to do something a little different for a food pantry that I hope will just put a smile on someone’s face if just for a moment…

“Every Stitch is Made with LOVE”

Mary Martin has been a Guest of Our Daily Bread Food Pantry since November 2020. Her caregiver – Laura – recognized Mary needed assistance with basic food needs and called Our Daily Bread for assistance. Mary was registered and became part of the home delivery route.

Today, while delivering to Mary, I asked “Mary, what’s your story?” and here goes:

I’ve live in Naples for 60 years. I married and we moved to this neighborhood. I was a hairdresser and then became a first grade substitute teacher. At the age of 55 I had my first stroke and have since survived 4 more. I’ve been left paralyzed on my right side and I can’t drive. When the Doctors comment on 5 strokes, Mary’s response is “Yep, God don’t want me yet” I became widowed 5 years ago and then diagnosed with diabetes. I am now on dialysis 3 times a week. The type of wheel chair I have requires me to pay for private transportation to and from dialysis.

Although Mary’s son lives with her to oversee her caregiving, he just started working a lot of hours and cannot get to the grocery store on a regular basis.

The food delivered by-weekly to Mary helps to supplement her expenses as the bills keep rolling in.

When I asked ‘anything we can add or change to your delivery?’ Mary’s response was “no honey it’s all just fine. We use a lot of eggs and milk.”

In closing Mary’s comment was “It could be a lot worse”

What a positive Lady Mary Martin is!