NEWS · B2 Level - Part 7

90-Year-Old Nun Still Runs Food Pantry Founded in 1983

At 90 years old, one might start to consider slowing down a little. But not Sister Selene Gosell.

Level: B2 · 16 sentences

Transcript

  1. At 90 years old, one might start to consider slowing down a little.
  2. But not Sister Selene Gosell.
  3. "I don't want to go to a convent for God's sakes."
  4. "I don't belong there."
  5. No, she says she's exactly where she belongs:
  6. at the Wisconsin Food Pantry founded by her order, the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross back in 1983.
  7. She's been running the place for the past 5 years
  8. and tells WSAW that she's only seen the need for her services grow.
  9. "Lincoln County is probably one of the poorest counties in the state of Wisconsin."
  10. "We began with... maybe giving out to about 10 people a week..."
  11. "...and now we do much more than that in a day."
  12. "77 new families since the beginning of January 2025."
  13. Her tenacity fighting poverty inspires those who work with her.
  14. "I hope when I get to be... if I get to be that age, I am half as lively as she is."
  15. She says the only plans for her future are to keep these shelves stocked and her community wellfed.
  16. "We're doing what God calls us to do."