In A Worn Path by Eudora Welty why does the nurse mark the medicine as charity in her book?

In "A Worn Path," the nurse marks the medicine as charity to highlight the socioeconomic disparities faced by the protagonist, Phoenix Jackson. By labeling the medicine as charity, it underscores the struggles of those in poverty and the community's role in providing assistance to individuals like Phoenix, who must navigate significant obstacles to obtain care for her ailing grandson. This act also emphasizes the themes of dignity and resilience in the face of hardship.