Those living on the reservations face challenges unknown to most Americans, including food insecurity, water shortages, and limited access to healthcare and utilities (electricity, internet). Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) works to aid these Native communities through programs like the Navajo Relief Fund (NRF) and its Summer Emergency Box service.  

These emergency boxes are delivered to Elders on selected reservations to help them weather the extreme temperatures, power outages and severe storms of summer. 72-year-old Ambrose Smith and 58-year-old Irene Benally of Kayenta, Arizona, received summer boxes, including items such as water, sunscreen, bug spray, nonperishable food and personal protective equipment.

Originally from Kayenta, Ambrose attended an Indian boarding school in Oklahoma and spent his summers back home on the Navajo Reservation. Later, he experienced the city life in Dallas, Texas, but ultimately returned to Kayenta where he and Irene now rent their home. Irene was raised by her grandmother on a farm in nearby Black Mesa where they herded and butchered sheep for a living. She moved to Kayenta 17 years ago after her grandma and parents passed away from cancer.  

Now retired for seven years, Ambrose worked as a security officer for most of his career. He often has difficulty moving around. With a combined social security income of roughly $1,700, Ambrose mentioned their financial concerns. “With our rent, the vehicles and utilities,” he said, “it’s a lot to cover on just social security.” 

Ambrose and Irene have one daughter living in Phoenix and two sons living locally. When not taking walks or watching action movies in his free time, Ambrose is happy to see their grandchildren a few times a month and impress upon them the importance the education. 

To shop for supplies like groceries, laundry detergent or dish soap, Ambrose notes they travel to the nearest Walmart in Farmington, New Mexico – approximately a two-hour drive one way. Ambrose says, “prices at Walmart are good,” but the price of gas alone for shopping is an added expense.  

Grateful for the Summer Emergency Box, Ambrose and Irene said the supplies save them a lot of money out of pocket. Ambrose also sees how the entire community benefits from the Summer Boxes. Extending a sincere “thank you” to donors, he added, “we really appreciate all the help.”

Your donation to NRF can continue providing essential services like the Summer Emergency Boxes for Native families like Ambrose and Irene.