Faces of Hunger: Senior and The Brown Bag Program

Grounded With A Century of Knowledge - Brown Bag Program Recipient Recognizes A Good Thing When He Sees It.

Born over a century ago, Grover Barnes has seen his share of good times and bad. Now, at a time in his life when he relaxes in his home at 101 years old, the graceful gentlemen smiles when he talks of the fresh produce and the Brown Bag program he receives twice a month from the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.

“I learned long ago that to live and be healthy means exercising and eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Barnes. “It just makes common sense to eat fresh foods and when you do you are stronger and feel better.” Barnes smiles knowing he is still in good shape for his years and is happy to share his knowledge with those around him.

Barnes, who is a teacher by trade, moved to California from Texas finding it more welcoming in the post-Depression era and worked at Camp Cooke, now the Vandenburg Air Force Base, earning $1 a day pressing and cleaning uniforms. Soon after, Barnes moved in to the hotel service where because of his articulate and gracious nature he was hired by the Miramar Hotel’s owner, Paul Gawzner. He moved from the lunchroom in 1946 to the prestigious and well sought after position of chief bellman until his retirement in 1981.

Barnes, and his beloved wife Ethel whom he lost in 2006, started receiving the Brown Bag program a few years back. “It has everything I need and people should not be afraid to ask for it when they need assistance,” he said. “The variety of food is good and I like to see what I have and make my meals ahead of time. My favorite are the fruits and vegetables and depending on what else I get, I make a stew or something with a little of everything.”

Barnes, who spends his days chatting with neighbors and writing letters advocating respect for all, which are often published in the newspaper, says he would not be as healthy without the Brow Bag Program. He also acknowledges he is slowing down and it is nice now to have the bags delivered to his home because he decided to give up his driver’s license. Barnes will remind you this was his choice, and the walk to the church where the bags are distributed is a bit far for him these days.

“I am very thankful for the Brown Bag Program and the Foodbank does everyone a great service,” Barnes admits with a grin. “Plus the delivery people are very nice.”

The Brown Bag Programs for seniors serve almost 900 low-income elderly people who struggle to pay for housing, health care, and basic needs on fixed incomes. The average Brown Bag recipient is a 75 year old woman living on less than $900 a month. Recipients receive two bags of groceries each month to supplement their food budgets and to maintain self-sufficiency.

Every two weeks, at 11 Brown Bag distribution sites throughout the county, the Foodbank provides a grocery bag of nutritious staple foods including high-proteins items, canned soups, pasta, cereal, eggs, bread, pastry items and fresh produce. Over 150 volunteers are essential to the success of the program; helping assemble bags of groceries and making home deliveries to those in need.