In the western reaches of the Navajo Nation, the community of Inscription House, known in Diné as Ts’ah bii Kin or “House in the Field of Sagebrush,” sits among wide, rolling hills where sagebrush stretches to the horizon.  

For Lena M., this community has long been home, as well as a place where she has dedicated herself to serving others. Years ago, she served as the manager of the Inscription House Senior Center, helping coordinate services for Elders in the community. “We started with only a few people back then,” says Lena. Like many senior centers in reservation communities, Lena learned how to work with limited resources. 

Lena’s life has always been rooted in service. She once served as a chapter president and a Navajo Nation Council delegate, advocating for her community’s needs. Even after being sent to boarding school as a child—a disruption many Native children experienced—she returned home determined to hold onto her traditions and pass them on. 

But life in Inscription House is not always easy, especially for Elders.  

“One of the biggest problems we have is that people don’t have vehicles,” says Lena. “They are the ones who are starving.” 

In this rural part of the Navajo Nation, the nearest grocery stores can be miles away. For many Elders, especially those living alone, making the trip isn’t always possible. Some must carefully plan trips for basic supplies, hoping road conditions will hold. 

“There are elderly people living out here who don’t have their own vehicles,” says Lena. “There’s no water line, so they have to have people haul water for them.” 

Even the Inscription House Senior Center, now managed by our Program Partner, Carol B., operates with limited resources. The building is aging, without central heating or cooling. When funding delays happen, even providing daily meals can become a challenge.  

“There are times when our funding doesn’t go through as quickly as we thought,” says Carol. “Sometimes we end up not having fresh produce, and we still have to travel for it.” 

That’s why partnerships matter. Through the Navajo Relief Fund (NRF) program, Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) worked alongside Carol and her team to provide Emergency Food Boxes to Elders in Inscription House. In total, enough supplies were delivered to serve 100 Elders—each box filled with nonperishable foods, bottled water, paper towels, and toilet paper. 

When Lena stopped by the center during a recent distribution, she saw the impact firsthand. “I wanted to stop by and see how things were going,” she says. Then, looking around at the boxes being prepared and distributed, she adds, “It’s good that you’re doing this. We need it here.” 

For Elders without transportation, these boxes provide much-needed relief from the constant worry of how to get the next meal or basic necessities. 

Carol sees that impact every day.  

“The Elders really value everything that you give to them,” says Carol. “It comes in handy, and it’s very helpful. You guys are the only ones who provide these emergency food boxes.” 

For Lena, the work happening  in Inscription House is part of a much larger effort that she’s been committed to for decades. Her focus during her time at the senior center was simple: help Elders access what they need to live with dignity, from food to water to electricity. Today, she sees that same mission continuing through partnerships like this one. 

By working alongside the Inscription House Senior Center, programs like the Navajo Relief Fund help close the gaps created by geography and infrastructure, especially for Elders who might otherwise be left waiting. 

The Emergency Food Boxes delivered in Inscription House are not a permanent solution. But they are a critical lifeline that ensures Elders like Lena and her neighbors have access to essential supplies when they need them most. 

This work is made possible by people who choose to stand with Native communities—people who understand that sometimes, the most meaningful impact comes from meeting immediate needs while honoring the strength and resilience already present. 

As Carol put it simply: “You guys are doing an amazing job.” 

By supporting the Navajo Relief Fund, you become part of that effort—helping ensure that Elders in communities like Ts’ah bii Kin are not forgotten, but supported with care, respect, and dignity.