The Daily News

Emerine McNeese called the Daily News offices Thursday morning in tears. The 73 year-old Warnerton resident had just received notice in the mail that she was selected to receive a food voucher through the Care and Share program. She wanted to say, "Thank you."

A follow-up call gave her an added opportunity to express her feelings to everyone who donated to the cause. Again, her voice trembled with emotion.

Advertisement

"You don't know how much it means to have someone think of me," she said. "I really appreciate it. I'm so glad someone would help someone else. It means so much to those who don't have much. I thank you so very much."

When a photographer arrived at her rural Washington Parish home the next morning to get a picture and more of McNeese's story, she found a yellow Post-it note on the screen door. It said "Emerine McNeese is in the hospital. She is not here."

Later in the day, McNeese's daughter, Susan Brock, stopped by the office to pick up the voucher and head for the grocery store. Her mother was waiting in the car. She was ok, but needed to stay seated. She had spent the night in the hospital.

"I have a hiatal hernia and sometimes it feels like I'm having a heart attack," she said.

McNeese, like the 400 other people who applied for the program started by the paper in 1982 to provide food for those in need at Christmas time, is having hard times.

"My husband died the 26 of November," she said. "I didn't even get to go to the funeral. I had just had major bypass surgery, four bypasses. They strip veins in your legs and break your breast bone. I'm still trying to recover from that."

McNeese's financial situation only makes things more difficult.

"We lived on a fixed income and now his was taken away," she said. "That left me with very little income, only about $600 a month. It's hard to pay the utilities and other bills."

McNeese could not spend the $75 Care and Share voucher on fruitcake and eggnog. She sat in the car while Brock purchased greens, bread and other foods that could provide her mother with basic nourishment.

"When you don't have much to buy with ..." said McNeese.

Although there was a certain sad heaviness about the women, they both said, "Thanks." McNeese's face took on a radiance as she spoke.

Smiles of genuine gratitude were common in the Daily News lobby Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Delester Brown, 82, stood quietly at the front desk and beamed when she was asked if she was happy. She would make her own trip to the grocery a little later.

In all, 100 applicants received food vouchers through the program. Many recipients are elderly, disabled and on fixed incomes.

Some are single mothers, others are single fathers. Many are grandparents raising the children of their own children.

A number of the applications submitted by friends or family members said the ones in need are more use to giving than receiving. They requested the assistance, they said, for people who have often been the helpers in the community. Now, thanks to donations from that same community, some local cupboards are no longer bare.

Daily News publisher John Walker said approximately $8,000 had been collected for the project as of Friday. Any extra funds will be used to start the Care and Share campaign for next year, he said.

Walker praised the program.

"It's a unique opportunity for members of the community and the newspaper to partner to help those less fortunate, and we're pleased to be able to do that," he said.

Brown, McNeese and dozens more said they are pleased, too. And relieved.

"It just helps so much," said McNeese. "Thank you all."