BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — For some seniors, retirement means raising their grandchildren while trying to make ends meet on a fixed income.

Stanley Shew-A-Tjon, 76, and his wife are raising their four grandchildren in a two-bedroom house. With two adults and four children in the home, he said covering basic expenses has become difficult.

“Two adults and four grandchildren in a 2-bedroom house. We’re trying to get out, but it’s not easy because we are both retired living on a fixed income,” Shew-A-Tjon said.

Their grocery bill has also climbed, going from about $250 a month for him and his wife to more than $600, he said.

That’s why Shew-A-Tjon visits The Pantry of Broward every month.

“When I was informed about The Pantry, it was a blessing, because they do provide necessary things,” he said.

The Pantry of Broward opened in 2008 with a focus on serving seniors. The organization serves about 600 seniors each month.

“From North to South, we take care of everyone who needs to be able to supplement their income by way of our food help,” said Maureen Luna, CEO of The Pantry of Broward.

Shew-A-Tjon’s story is shared by other grandparents raising grandchildren. Thomasina Smith-Brown adopted three grandchildren and also relies on the pantry.

“They saved us — literally saved us — from being hungry,” Smith-Brown said.

The pantry provides a variety of food, including fresh and shelf-stable items.

“I can make an eggplant lasagna and have a salad with it,” Smith-Brown said.

She said she didn’t expect the variety of food available.

“They provide so many different varieties of food that we didn’t expect to be that blessed and it has been a real, real blessing,” she said.

The Pantry of Broward recently received boxes of fresh and shelf-stable food from Publix as part of the annual Food for Thought program, which raises awareness about hunger in South Florida.

“We have bread. We have produce. We have everything that’s going to go right into the box and right into the community and help The Pantry of Broward serve the residents here,” said Lindsey Willis, a Publix media relations manager.

The pantry also relies on partnerships to continue providing food to the community.

“The partnerships with people like Publix and others are absolutely crucial to our success,” Luna said. “We are here all year long and we could use help.”

The Pantry of Broward also delivers groceries to seniors who cannot physically pick up their food.

The nonprofit is also building a 90-unit senior housing development called The Lofts in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk District. The pantry will be located on the first floor of the building, which is slated to open in early 2028.

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