The first recipient of the NEW Carmen Ricker Senior Fund, July 2026

A Lifeline When It Was Needed Most

Five years after undergoing a double mastectomy due to breast cancer, Patricia received devastating news. Her doctor, Dr. Scott, discovered a mass that needed to be removed as soon as possible.

The diagnosis came after years of heartbreaking loss. Patricia had already endured the deaths of both her daughter and son due to illness, and just last year, she lost her husband. Today, at 71 years old, she is raising two teenage grandchildren with little family left to lean on.

Before surgery could be scheduled, Patricia was told she needed to pay a $289.96 co-pay. Living on a limited income while supporting her grandchildren, she had no idea how she could afford the unexpected expense.

After a sleepless night filled with worry and tears, Patricia reached out to GGCCM, hoping someone might be able to point her toward assistance. What she didn't know was that the Food Bank had recently established the Carmen Ricker Senior Fund, a program created to help seniors facing emergency financial needs just like hers.

Thanks to the new fund, Patricia received the help she needed to cover her co-pay, allowing her surgery to be scheduled without further delay.

For seniors living on fixed incomes, an unexpected medical bill can become an overwhelming barrier to receiving timely care. The Carmen Ricker Senior Fund exists to provide hope during those difficult moments, ensuring that older adults in our community don't have to face medical emergencies alone.