Florida Catholic | Retirement Means Raising Grandchildren, Rising Prices

Retirement means raising grandchildren, rising prices

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 07.16.08

The Kleins, from left, Robert, Mary, Abby, Brandon and Bryan, returned to visit their former parish, St. Perpetua in Waterford, Mich. Florida’s cost of living may send them back there.
Courtesy Photo | Doris Fisher

WINTER HAVEN | Like many Florida residents, Robert and Mary Klein, parishioners at St. Matthew Parish here, are retired and living on a fixed Social Security income. They moved to Florida last August to escape the difficult weather of their hometown in Waterford, Mich.

“I thought moving would be a good experience,” Mary Klein said, “but it hasn’t been so. We’ve had a lot of difficulties.”

Like many of today’s grandparents, the Kleins have been raising three grandchildren since 2004: Abby, 7, Bryan, 11, and Brandon, 13. All three children are busy with activities and each is on medication for special needs. “We’re in the car a lot,” Mary Klein continued, “and we’re always on ‘E.’ In a way it’s good, because we pray every time we’re in the car that we make it where we’re going.”

Mary Klein used the word “horrendous” to describe the effect of rising food and gasoline prices on her family. They shop “wherever prices are cheap and wherever there are sales. We go to Save-a-Lot. The children like ramen noodles and I’m able to get six packages for a dollar, but the price of milk is over $4 a gallon and we go through milk.”

In addition, with school out, the family can’t rely on the school’s free lunch program to assist with weekday meals.

In Waterford, Mary Klein worked with a program for the homeless, trying to engage them in mental health treatment. She attempted to find similar work in Winter Haven, but couldn’t find anything. Robert Klein is disabled.

“I’m so grateful that Catholic Charities (of Central Florida) was able to help us,” Mary Klein said. “There’s also a mission that gives out food, but they’ve had so many people going that they’ve reduced food allowance to each family to only once per month instead of twice. I feel there are those who need help more than us. We have a lot of people praying for us. God has provided. He has always done it. I’ve always lived my life that it was meant to be.”

Anne Winkler, a case manager at Winter Haven Catholic Charities office, said she sees families every day who are facing unforeseen circumstances due to the current price of food and gas, and the tremendous amount of layoffs in our area.

There is hope ahead for the Kleins. The children’s father was also unable to find work in Florida and the family helped him move back to Michigan to return to work at his former job in salvaging. He expects to soon be able to send the Kleins money to help with the children, and eventually send for the children to live him and their new stepmother.

“We’re going to give it one more winter in Florida. The children love it and will be with us.” Robert Klein said. “Life is hard, but you get by and you just remember to laugh.”

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Retirement means raising grandchildren, rising prices

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