I just spoke to Lila*. She is still at home. She says she is doing a bit better … She talked again about the thrill she feels about receiving the money. In fact, she said she is feeling the most contentment that she has felt in the past 3 years! She said to be able to order a pizza and spend $10 without worrying is a feeling beyond words. Could the money be going to a more worthy woman, I ask you?
Eileen Sklaroff shared this comment with me this morning. As head of FHBS-The Female Hebrew Benevolent Society in Philadelphia, now the longest-running Jewish charitable organization in the United States, Eileen knows only too well, many more "Lila’s". Her all-volunteer group provides a safety net for hundreds of people who find themselves in a difficult place. Lila is an 87-year-old widow who lives on her monthly Social Security check – a bit more than $1000. With the death of her son over a year ago she lost the one stabilizing force in her life who she knew would help her with any unmet needs she might have. A loving grandchild with several young children of their own, as well as a few friends and other relatives help when possible but it is not easy. Fiercely independent, with many serious health issues, Lila has learned to live an extremely frugal life. When Eileen told us her story and asked if we might help, the Good People Fund immediately committed to paying one month’s rent just to give her a bit of a break, as well as a $50 monthly stipend so that she might enjoy a modest pleasure as small as a pizza.
We are sure we will not forget this story the next time we call to order a pizza.
POSTSCRIPT
A few days after we posted this story, Eileen Sklaroff wrote and shared the following comment which came to her from the social worker who works directly with Lila:
Hi Eileen – I cried reading this. The account took on a different dimension for me when I saw it in writing. I have thought about why Lila continues to talk about how much getting a pizza means to her. I believe it is about the little things in her life that she can no longer afford – that she misses. In and of itself, it is not the pizza, per se. It is the small things that she took for granted during her earlier years. Lila is one of the fortunate ones who can now enjoy some of these small joys. How sad I get thinking about all the people who will never be able to enjoy a simple pizza.
F.
It is indeed those "little pieces of pizza" that keep the Good People Fund going every day… so quickly we all forget what it is that makes up "life".
*To ensure confidentiality "Lila’s" name has been changed.
