Meet Our Neighbors
Thanks to caring supporters like you in 2023, CFBNJ provided enough food for over 90 million meals to neighbors facing hunger last year.
Times are tough, especially here. But the pantry helps my wife and I a lot.
MEET TONY
Though Tony and his wife both have full-time jobs, sometimes they need a little extra help from their local food pantry, Gateway Community Action Partnership in Bridgeton, Cumberland County.
Cumberland’s median household income is the lowest in the state. And Bridgeton, where Tony and his wife live, is a rural and particularly under-invested South Jersey community.
“TIMES ARE TOUGH, ESPECIALLY HERE,” HE SAID. “BUT THE PANTRY HELPS MY WIFE AND I A LOT.”
Tony works in the transportation department for the local public schools, and his wife is a tax accountant, but the high cost of living in New Jersey makes it difficult for them to put food on the table. When Tony comes to the pantry, he looks for fresh staples that he and his wife might not otherwise be able to afford.
“WE LIKE VEGETABLES, MILK, AND EGGS – THE BASICS,” HE SAID. “AND THE PANTRY OFFERS ALL OF THAT.”
Tony also appreciates all the friendly faces he meets at Gateway CAP, where volunteers, staff, and neighbors come together to form a close-knit community.
“COMING HERE IS A VERY PLEASANT EXPERIENCE,” TONY TOLD US. “I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.”
MEET ARIN
First grader Arin has lots of big dreams for his future.
“I WANT TO BE A DENTIST WHEN I GROW UP,” HE SHARED. “OR A SPACE ASTRONAUT! THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I WANT TO BE.”
With plenty of nutritious food and physical activity, he can grow up healthy and strong to achieve his goals. Every day after school, Arin visits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County, where he plays in the gym with his friends and eats nutritious dinners provided by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. He also gets nutrition education lessons to help him form healthy habits.
When asked what he likes to eat, Arin exclaimed
“THIS! I LOVE THIS,” POINTING TO HIS MEAL OF A PEPPERONI PIZZA BAGEL, CUCUMBER SLICES AND A CUP OF PEACHES.
After dinner, Arin runs off to the gym for a game of basketball.
“I LOVE RECESS!” HE TOLD US. “AND I LIKE COMING HERE, AND I LIKE THE FOOD THEY GIVE US.”
This! I Love this, he said, pointing to his meal of a pepperoni pizza bagel, cucumber slices, and a cup of peaches.
I like to get fruits and vegetables at the distributions. I eat a lot of salads. I’m on a very strict diet, and the food from the foodbank helps a lot.
MEET ERIN
In her inspiring life, Erin has overcome the stigma around two critical issues – food insecurity and addiction. She’s retired from the Human Resources department at the same addiction recovery center where she was a patient thirty years ago.
“I WAS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT MY RECOVERY,” ERIN SHARED. “I WANTED TO GET MY LIFE BACK ON TRACK.”
She succeeded and impressed the center’s staff so much that they offered her a full-time job, which she held until she retired eight years ago.
Now, she spends her days helping other residents of the place she’s called home for 27 years – New Community Corporation’s affordable housing. Erin gives out food at CFBNJ’s monthly senior box distributions and serves as a floor captain, looking after the well-being of 13 fellow residents. During the pandemic, she delivered meals directly to people’s apartments every single day.
“IF SOMEONE IN THE BUILDING IS IN NEED OF HELP, I’M RIGHT THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR,” SHE SAID.
Erin also receives food from CFBNJ herself. She’s had two liver transplants, which have had lasting effects on her health and dietary needs.
“I LIKE TO GET FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AT THE DISTRIBUTIONS. I EAT A LOT OF SALADS,” ERIN TOLD US. “I’M ON A VERY STRICT DIET, AND THE FOOD FROM THE FOODBANK HELPS A LOT.”
In addition to eating the right foods, at 72 years old, she remains physically active, too, regularly doing water aerobics at a community center nearby.
When asked where her drive to help others comes from, Erin credited her late parents:
“THEY RAISED MY SIBLINGS AND I TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY GET ALL THE GLORY.” “I’VE HAD A GREAT LIFE – A REALLY FULFILLING LIFE,” SHE SAID.