When Walter Cehura first received a food box from St. Vincent de Paul’s food pantry in Wickenburg, he never anticipated that years later, thanks to the hard work and dedication of volunteers, his whole life would change.
After months of anticipation, Walter arrived at his new home in September. Before then, he had been living in deplorable conditions, but even then didn’t let things get him down.
Although Walter receives monthly food boxes from St. Anthony of Padua in Wickenburg, one of St. Vincent de Paul’s 88 food pantries (also called Conferences) based out of Catholic churches, he gives money back whenever he can afford it.
“Walter ended up becoming our friend,” said Conference President Sandra Monroe. “Then one time, during a home visit, we found out how he had been living.”
Walter lived in a shack and shared an outhouse with the inhabitants of eight other shacks. His kitchen was a wooden table and a microwave. His bathroom was a bucket. His windows were plastic sheets.
After making this discovery, Sandra and Martha Hernandez, a volunteer, set out to get Walter his very own place to call home.
It was a long process, but it was worth it, Sandra said.
“He didn’t have anything, but he never complained,” she said. “Walter was always so happy and pleasant to be around. We did everything we could to get him out of that situation.”
Sandra ended up buying Walter a new bedding and bathroom towels. During a conference meeting, members voted to allocate funds to get dishes, silverware and towels for Walter. Martha and her husband, Pete, donated furniture for the living room, kitchen and bedroom. Other volunteers donated a television, kitchen items, blankets and many other items.
When Walter finally saw his new home, he couldn’t help but show how excited he was.
“He was so happy he no longer has to wear his flip-flops to take showers,” Martha said. “We made him smile so much when he saw the apartment all set up. He just could not hide his emotions.”
Walter lived under those conditions for years. Now, he sits outside his door and makes friends with all his neighbors. He has even attended a potluck or two.
“When he saw the apartment, he just couldn’t believe it,” Sandra said. “He was so amazed to see he had electricity, a bathroom, a real bed, and even a shower. So many things that we take for granted he cherishes!”
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