Perryville Families Struggle Without Big Star Grocery
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 26, 2012
Many Arkansas families now struggling to getting fresh food more than a month after the only full grocery store near their homes burned down. Like many in rural areas, people in Perryville continue to make do with smaller convenience stores without Big Star Food & Drug.
"I'm about out of milk again," Penny Wilson said, looking into her fridge.
While food is the last thing she wants to worry about, living alone, disabled and on a fixed income, these days it's at the top of her list since a fire ravaged Big Star grocery and destroyed her easy access to healthy food in October.
"It's just even tougher than I thought getting food in the house without having Big Star," said Wilson.
The last six weeks she and others in the area have had to get creative.
"It's been bad for everybody," said shopper Vickie Henderson.
Many rely on Dollar General and Family Dollar for their small grocery sections. The only other alternative is to hit road. A huge hassle during the holidays.
"A 12 mile drive one way or 30 miles the other it was kind of chaotic," said Henderson.
Unable to drive, Wilson has relied on the food bank and on her aide to drive to Morrilton twice a month.
"I freeze my milk, scramble my eggs," she said. "I have to send my debit card to my sister or someone in another town to get it and get it to me."
Last time, Wilson said her card was lost in the mail. Now she's hoping what she has frozen will hold over.
"When you don't got, you have to think of other ways or do without," she said.
Store owners expect the store to reopen in the next four to five months.
"I'm about out of milk again," Penny Wilson said, looking into her fridge.
While food is the last thing she wants to worry about, living alone, disabled and on a fixed income, these days it's at the top of her list since a fire ravaged Big Star grocery and destroyed her easy access to healthy food in October.
"It's just even tougher than I thought getting food in the house without having Big Star," said Wilson.
The last six weeks she and others in the area have had to get creative.
"It's been bad for everybody," said shopper Vickie Henderson.
Many rely on Dollar General and Family Dollar for their small grocery sections. The only other alternative is to hit road. A huge hassle during the holidays.
"A 12 mile drive one way or 30 miles the other it was kind of chaotic," said Henderson.
Unable to drive, Wilson has relied on the food bank and on her aide to drive to Morrilton twice a month.
"I freeze my milk, scramble my eggs," she said. "I have to send my debit card to my sister or someone in another town to get it and get it to me."
Last time, Wilson said her card was lost in the mail. Now she's hoping what she has frozen will hold over.
"When you don't got, you have to think of other ways or do without," she said.
Store owners expect the store to reopen in the next four to five months.
