On the first and third Thursday of every month, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Clinic hosts Seasoned Adults Living Triumphantly (S.A.L.T) classes. These classes are intended to offer recreational, educational, and fun classes to older adults. Topics range from health and nutrition education to financial wellness.
James makes his best effort to attend as many classes as he can. James says, “We learn a lot of things. They teach us about how to avoid scams, and all sorts of stuff.”
James lives in Antioch, so it can be quite the trip for him to make it to Matthew Walker. That’s why his visit to this S.A.L.T. class was especially impactful. That day, a Second Harvest Mobile Market was stationed at Matthew Walker. James, his classmate from S.A.L.T., and all Matthew Walker patients were able to grab fresh produce, pantry staples, and other healthy items right there on site.
James doesn’t usually receive food assistance, but, being a retired veteran with kids, he will take any help he can get. He said, “I didn’t even know this was happening, but I said to myself, ‘Why don’t you come over here to see what they have?’”
The Mobile Market’s offerings blew him away. James said, “It’s nice to come out and see that the community is giving out things like food, because you never know when you’re gonna need help.” James continued, “As a veteran, the VA takes care of me, but sometimes I might run out of food. It’s good to know that I live close to an organization that gives out food.”
James felt that recently. When the government shutdown halted SNAP benefits, his daughter lost access to one of her primary sources of food. James shared it can be hard, as a father, to watch someone you love face that kind of strain — especially when you’re doing everything you can to keep your family supported. He said, “It’s sad that they stopped the snap, which has hurt a lot of people.”
James is looking forward to the holiday season. He gets his Thanksgiving meal at the Church of the Nazarene, a Second Harvest Partner Agency. He says, “Everything is going pretty good. God is good, you know, and He’s blessed me with a lot of things.”
James knows firsthand how much a simple act of kindness can mean. That’s why he gives his time at The Branch, a Second Harvest Partner Agency. The community has always shown up for James, and James does his part to show up for the community, too.