Laurie has spent her entire life around food. Starting as a dishwasher at just 12 years old, she worked her way through nearly every job in the food and beverage industry – host, waitress, manager, cook, bartender, and even wedding caterer. After decades on her feet became too much, she retired and now lives with roommates.
“I really loved it. It was a lot of fun,” she reflected, smiling.
Laurie built her career around serving and feeding others with care and creativity – but now, in retirement, getting enough to eat for herself can be a challenge. That’s where CFBNJ’s monthly mobile pantry in Ventnor City comes in.
“The FoodBank has been a godsend, really,” she said. “It seems like the last few months, especially, have been tough. You find yourself out of money and benefits sooner because the food prices have gone crazy.”
She does her best to get by on Social Security and about $200 per month in SNAP dollars.
“For now, I do have SNAP,” Laurie said, but in her early 60s, she’s just below the new age cutoff for burdensome barriers imposed by Congress and could face the loss of her benefits going forward.
“Social Security is not really that much. SNAP has been a lifesaver,” she shared. “If I didn’t have it, it would be tough. I guess I would have to find more ways to make do.”
True to her roots, Laurie considers herself lucky that she’s able to be more creative with less food, thanks to her background in restaurants. Still, she is one of thousands of New Jerseyans who could soon find it even harder to make ends meet, though they already struggle to afford their basic needs.
Thankfully, Laurie can come to CFBNJ’s mobile pantry to get a wide variety of healthy, delicious food.
“I love getting fresh food, like meat and the vegetable boxes they have,” she shared. “Those are from Jersey farmers, so that’s great.”
With a full cart and a full heart, Laurie began her walk back to her apartment – just down the street in Ventnor City.
“It’s a blessing to come here to the mobile pantry,” she added.