Rewards for Hard Work
Laura visits her local store a couple of times a month.
Laura, who is 80-years-old, visits her local store a couple of times a month.
During the third week of each month, she picks up her groceries provided through the Northern Plains Reservation Aid™ (NPRA) Programs’ Breakfast-in-a-Bag service. This service helps food get into the homes of Elders on the Rosebud Reservation.
She said, “I grew up on the farm. My dad raised me and we never ate processed food.” That way of living had its benefits. She added, “no one was ever sick.” Her father milked 14 cows by himself and Laura learned that hard work was important. This outlook impacted the way she approached life.
Despite recovering from health issues, Laura took on the responsibility to care for her grandson. He is now grown and attends Sinte Gleska University in Mission. After her son received his degree at the same tribal college, he began teaching at the Juvenile Detention Center. Her daughter is also a hard worker, and is employed in social work.
Laura is grateful for all the food she receives from the Breakfast-in-a-Bag service.
Up from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Laura knows her limits. After that, she said, “I’m no good.” She works at the school dorms, and substitutes for Head Start when needed. She started with Head Start in 1977 and has also worked with elementary-aged children, which was very rewarding. Recently, one of Laura’s very first second-grade students reached out to her through Facebook. This type of connection with her community and neighbors prompted Laura to say, “I’m grateful I have the jobs I have.”
Laura often reads to the Head Start children and knows which books they prefer. “They like the Little Critters books,” she said. She feels welcome when she visits these young preschool children, adding, “They run to meet me.”
Laura tried other jobs. She drove a truck in a neighboring state and also earned her realtor's license. She even worked in a bank. But, she said that all of this work was, “too boring after working with kids.”
Laura is grateful for all the food she receives from the Breakfast-in-a-Bag service. One reason is because it helps to feed her family of three. Plus, after being raised on a farm where hard work was rewarded with good health, it’s good to have something that she can count on each month to help out with her nutritional needs and household budget.