Let’s talk trash – trash and junk that almost all rural families have to deal with because of the lack of services where they live. Let’s talk about how neighbors can help fill in the gap.
Don’t Make Waste Bandera (DMWB) in cooperation with Silver Sage Hill Country Resource Center recently conducted a survey of Meals-on-Wheels recipients seeking help to clear junk accumulating in their yards and homes. Twenty households responded, all were elderly and most were disabled. They include: Janie, 75-year-old widow living alone; Donald, an 80-yearold with congestive heart failure; Kyle, who is blind; Marie, a 78-year-old widow in Lakehills; and many others.
Patricia Taylor was the one most in immediate need of help. At age 61, she is wheel-chair bound and suffers from uterine cancer. Her husband Kenny died a little over a year ago with pancreatic cancer. Having also lost both of her biological siblings, she was living alone.
Patricia described the difficulties of transportation to her home in a rural area. The trip requires a winding drive to the end of PR37 in the Lakehills area. She utilizes the Medicare transport from San Antonio-- when she can find a driver--to her doctor visits and relies on neighbors to pick up groceries.
The first dumpster was filled by (from left) Mike Wolford, James Johnson, Tommy Adams, Rudy Escamilla, Bob Brischetto, Denise Stewart, Levin Crawford and (not pictured) Barbara Brischetto. COURTESY PHOTO
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