For about 30 years, Brigantine has been home for Janet and her family. Her mother first moved to the shore community decades ago, and Janet raised her own daughter there – now a 30-year-old married psychologist. Today, Janet shares a home with her mother once again, balancing overnight work shifts, household responsibilities, and rising costs with the help of the food pantry at Community Presbyterian Church.
“My experience at the pantry has been amazing. I love it,” she said.
Janet works overnights in the deli department at ACME, from 10 pm to 6 am. Though the schedule can be demanding, she’s spent years working overnight jobs and enjoys having flexibility in her days so she can run errands, attend doctor appointments, and meet other commitments. And somehow, she still finds time to get some sleep!
“You have to be built for that way of life, but I really do love it,” Janet shared.
At 75 years young, her mom still works, too – long hours as a legal secretary at an employment law firm in Atlantic City that represents several of the local casinos.
“She runs circles around me!” Janet exclaimed, laughing. “But she doesn’t want to stop working because she loves it.” Her mom often works 12- to 14-hour days, so Janet tries to cook hearty dinners at least four days a week to make sure leftovers are available for lunch the next day.
At the pantry, Janet chooses foods she can turn into healthy meals, like eggs, pasta, and meats, as well as convenient pantry staples that are helpful for their busy schedules. Fruits, peanut butter, and cereal provide breakfasts and lunches on the go.
“I love shopping for myself,” Janet said, praising the pantry’s full choice setup – made possible through the statewide Growing Healthy Pantries initiative. “I can shop for what I need. I need stuff. I don’t want stuff.”
As food and gas prices continue to rise, the pantry has helped relieve financial pressure for Janet and her mom, who need a little extra help to get by, though they both work hard.
“With gas prices, it’s getting difficult, but this place makes it better,” Janet emphasized. “Big time.”
The support, she says, has been life changing: “It’s like getting a million dollars! I don’t have the financial stress anymore.”