Friendship and Community

Felina Steinert and Carol Sprague look out for each other. They have been neighbors in Peshastin for 15 years.

“We are both single and at our age, we need to help each other out,” Felina said.

They take turns driving together to shop at the Community Cupboard.

“They always shop together,” said Laurie Peek, Community Cupboard assistant manager. “Sometimes if they come without each other, I’m looking around for the other one.”

Felina and Carol have been relying on the Cupboard for years.

“We’d go without if there wasn’t a food pantry,” Felina said. “It’s been helpful now that everything is going up in price at the store.”

They rely on the Cupboard for items like milk and toilet paper, which are too expensive for them to buy at the grocery store.

Felina and Carol remember the first time they received a Thanksgiving and Christmas meal from the Cupboard.

“Being able to have a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner means a lot,” Felina said. “Sometimes you need extra things, and you just can’t do it.”

They take turns cooking a holiday meal for each other. One cooks on Thanksgiving, one on Christmas, and the next year they change it up.

Felina feels bad for communities that do not have access to a service like the Community Cupboard.  With three grown kids, Carol knows how tough it can be to make ends meet.

When she was struggling to get by, Felina encouraged her to use the food pantry.

“The stigma is there,” Felina said. “But everyone needs help with something sometime. Don’t be ashamed to come if you need help.”

Carol said she feels a lot more comfortable now.

“We try to help each other out as much as possible,” Felina said. “It’s the definition of community and it’s so important.”