Michelle and her husband live on a fixed income and visit the FoodBank’s Community Assistance Pantry at our Egg Harbor Township location for supplemental food each month. They are two of many in need in South Jersey, which has some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state–12.7% in Atlantic and Cumberland counties and 11.9% in Cape May county.
“Coming here helps us get more food that we need,” she said. “I just love coming here.”
What Michelle doesn’t use, she gives to her mom, a retired senior who often struggles with food insecurity, too. Michelle loves to cook and enjoys hosting meals in her home for her large extended family.
“We’re an Italian family, so we’re pretty big,” she laughs.
She puts canned and fresh vegetables, meat, pasta, and beans into her cart, just as though she were shopping at the supermarket. While our friendly shopping area volunteers guide her around the pantry to make her selections, Michelle expresses gratitude for their assistance.
“Everyone makes me feel so welcome, and they help me out when I need it,” she told us.