The Senior Safety Net at Norman Manor Apartments in Marion, Indiana, is more than just a food distribution – it’s an opportunity for community.
“I’m just over there,” says Jeff, an attendee and resident of Norman Manor, pointing in the direction of his apartment. “So I can see the truck coming. It’s fun to anticipate what we’re going to get, watch them unload. Free food is a blessing. Toiletries too, they’re few and far between, but very good to have. Sometimes you get napkins, detergent, toothpaste sometimes.”
Jeff’s hobbies include water aerobics and going to the movies. He always has to apologize to his dog when it’s time for a distribution. “My dog is blind. He usually goes for a walk in the cart, and he gets so excited when I get the cart out [to transport the food], he knows the sound, but I have to say ‘no no, not yet!’”
The volunteers of Norman Manor have worked hard to make sure they reach as many people as possible. “I want everyone to come through,” Tawnya Norman says. Tawnya is the Director of Residence Services with the Marion Housing Authority. She oversees several Senior Safety Net sites in Grant County. “Tenants, staff, I want everyone, because everyone has grocery bills, especially right now. Because food stamps is not enough. Some of them will only get $20 a month.”
Because many of the residents of Norman Manor live alone, one item can make several meals. They’ll cut a pork chop into pieces to make it stretch, or better yet, invite other residents over to share with them.
“I combine what I get here with what I have, and I can always make something,” Jeff says, with quiet pride. “Many people don’t know what to do with some of the food we get, but I do. I’ve been cooking for a long time, I was a bartender, my brother’s a chef. I got two packs of stew beef, tossed it in the pressure cooker with veggies and mashed potatoes.” Jeff spreads his hands, voilà. “Hoosier cooking. You have to use things fast, but I can plan for that since I know what day the grocery store is. If I come through a second time, and get something I won’t eat but my sister will, I’ll take it to her, to say thanks for driving me around.”
This sense of camaraderie is a crucial component of Norman Manor’s success. Sarah, a Norman Manor resident and volunteer check-in attendant at the distribution, says “I like helping people. Even though I don’t have much, I can help with my time.” Sarah has been volunteering since the Norman Manor distribution started, and helped figure out an effective flow of welcoming people into the distribution.
She noticed someone who wasn’t coming due to several barriers, and realized that a one-size-fits-all approach wasn’t going to work. She brought people together to discuss the issue, and now Norman Manor invites people who need other accommodations to go through first, to make sure that everyone is welcome. “There’s a lot of people who help each other,” Sarah says, “without knowing what we’ve been through to get there. I may have gotten singed, but I’m not burnt. You have to stand up for the underdog.”
Making spaces where everyone feels welcome is a critical part of our mission at Second Harvest, and we’re glad to have partners like the volunteers at Norman Manor who make that possible.
If you’re a senior looking for food or fellowship, find our distribution locations here.