EMPTY STOCKING: 'Grandpa's not working, so it's not easy'

Steve has been unemployed for five months, making it extra tough to raise three of his grandchildren.

Steve and his wife have had custody of the children, ages 2 to 7, for the past year, when their mother became unable to care for them. The children would’ve been placed in foster care otherwise.

Although Steve’s wife is working, they struggle to pay bills. They’re a few months behind on rent.

“We have a very forgiving landlord,” Steve said. “We owe him a lot of money.”

It’s hard to provide the children with extras such as snacks. Steve’s family has received help several times from food banks supplied by Care & Share Food Bank.

“Bless their hearts, they do a phenomenal job,” Steve said. “It’s really helped us out.”

Care & Share is one of 14 area charities receiving grants from The Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund.

The agency distributes food to more than 400 organizations across southern Colorado. In 2008, Care & Share distributed roughly 11.3 million pounds of food.

During a recent visit to one of the food banks, Steve went home with bags packed full of items such as grapefruit, canned soup, bottled water, apple sauce, vegetables and instant mashed potatoes.

“It helps greatly,” he said. “They provide snacks for the kids, and they love it. We had to forgo snacks for them, so when someone gives them a container of apple sauce they really enjoy it.”

Steve, 59, hopes to find work soon.

“I’ve told the kids, ‘Grandpa’s not working, so it’s not as easy as it used to be,’” Steve said. “I’d rather be working.”

Asking for this kind of help is new to Steve.

“I was always the one who said you’d never find me doing that. I had too much pride. As I got older, I got over that pride and asked for help,” he said. “For me, it’s a very humbling experience, and it makes me appreciate it more, especially the ones putting out their hands to help.”

TO DONATE

Make a secure donation at www.fillanemptystocking.org. Call 476-1673 to make a credit card or stock donation over the phone. Checks can be made payable to the Empty Stocking Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 400, Colorado Springs, CO 80901.