MissionBase.com---MISSION BASE

For 54 years Lawrence and Naomi Patton of Sunnyslope have relied on one another. They owned a lawn service company and raised two children. About five years ago, they realized that Social Security checks weren't going to provide for all they needed. They turned to the Desert Mission Food Bank to put food in the cupboard and a kind man at their church to help prepare their meals.

"We take what we can get, whatever they can give us," said Lawrence Patton, 78. "Every time we come into that establishment there, they ask if there's anything we can do for us. You don't meet friends just every day. They've just been real friends."

The Pattons and other seniors in the community will benefit from a $32,000 grant awarded to Desert Mission Food Bank. Desert Mission, a program of the John C. Lincoln Health Network, is one of eight entities that have been awarded grants from the Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of health-benefits company Humana Inc. Cindy Hallman, executive director of Desert Mission, said the grant will provide $20,000 to buy food for seniors in need. The remaining $12,000 is earmarked for the Desert Mission Community Health Center.

"We're seeing more and more seniors needing help with emergency food," Hallman said. "The food bank is providing a day's worth of food to a hungry person equivalent to every 2 1/2 minutes around the clock."

Earlier this week, Ed Mead was one of several seniors shopping at the 4th Street Market, a part of Desert Mission Food Bank. Eligible individuals can choose their own groceries from a wide selection of items, such as fresh produce, meat and staples like toilet paper and dishwasher detergent. He has been coming to Desert Mission Food Bank for six months.

"Social Security doesn't carry it all the way," Mead said of his living expenses. "I live in a group home setting with another woman. We help each other out."