ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – One line really stood out to me during my story Tuesday about high gas prices and rising inflation. It came from Bill Maiuri, a senior I spoke to as part of my story.
“I had a woman come here and tell me, ‘Billy, I have a can of soup (to eat all day) -- half in the afternoon and half at night.’ A can of soup. That’s tough. Yeah, you got a choice -- pay for meds or pay for food,” he said.
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He’s talking about the tightrope some seniors have to walk while on a fixed income. When things cost more in one area, they have to sacrifice in another.
Another woman told me she often goes to the senior center to eat lunch for $5. It’s partly because the food is good, and also because it’s usually enough food that she can take some home and make it for dinner.
That’s one of those moments that smacks you in the face -- not just as a journalist, but as a person. I get there are plenty of us who count the days until payday every two weeks. Well, for seniors, there is no payday. Paydays are over, and while some might lament having to unsubscribe to satellite radio or Paramount+ because of rising prices, other people are thinking about the next meal.
It makes me want to reach out to the seniors in my life and make sure they have everything they need.
If we take care of each other, we can get through anything.