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Low-income seniors taking stock of new ECHO program

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Photo by Lukas Keapproth

Marge Sell, left, prepares a shopping cart of non-perishable goods for Pat Ellison, right, and her husband, Willie Ellison, at ECHO in Janesville. the Ellisons qualify for Stockbox, a government commodity supplemental food program, in which eligible seniors age 60 and older can receive an additional quantity of food.

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Marge Sell

JANESVILLE — Pat and Willie Ellison won't go hungry for a while.

When the Janesville couple picked up their monthly food order Wednesday at ECHO, they were surprised each was eligible for a 35-pound box of additional food.

That's because both are 60 and older and meet income guidelines for the faith-sponsored charity's new Stockbox program, a government commodity supplemental food program.

"I didn't think both of us could get it," said Pat, whose only income is Social Security.

"It will really come in handy and help us a lot in planning our monthly food budget and meals,'' she said.

Willie, who receives Social Security Disability Insurance, was thrilled and grateful for the extra food.

"When she buys meat, we make it stretch four or five meals. We cut down the scraps and make soup,'' he said.

The Ellison's are among nearly two-dozen eligible people 60 and older who have tapped into the new program since it started Monday.

Stockbox is a free box of food from the federal government provided to ECHO by the Hunger Task Force, a nonprofit, anti-hunger public policy organization in Milwaukee, said Marge Sell, ECHO's resource coordinator.

"ECHO is excited to be part of a program to provide more food to seniors," Sell said.

"Whatever we can do to get more food into people's households during this tough economy is great," she said.

Each cardboard Stockbox is filled with canned and dry goods that includes breakfast cereal, canned and powdered milk, canned vegetables, canned fruits and fruit juices, pasta or rice, peanut butter, canned meats such as tuna, beef or pork plus two pounds of Wisconsin cheese, Sell said.

The food bought by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is wholesome, easy to open and eat and requires little preparation. Seniors can use the items in their favorite foods.

Pat agreed.

"I can make cheese soup, melt cheese over top of the chicken, and we can have grilled cheese sandwiches since we got some bread today, too."

Those who are eligible but homebound or unable to get to ECHO can fill out paperwork to have their monthly Stockboxes picked up for them by people they authorize, Sell said.

Enrolling takes less than 10 minutes, Sell said.

While Willie loaded the food into the back seat of the Ellisons' compact car, Pat summed up the importance of the new program.

"This savings will help us with rent, gas for the car and to pay down the bills I owe,'' she said.