Both a pantry recipient and a volunteer, Michael is a strong voice for policies and funding that strengthen food access.
“No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” he asserted. “It should be a no-brainer to fund food banks and pantries.”
CFBNJ’s Garfield Unity Pantry has supported Michael through periods of uncertainty. When the government shutdown delayed his SNAP benefits, he said “the pantry helped to fill the gap.” Fresh produce, meat, and dairy – items he often can’t afford in the store – have kept him nourished while in recovery from a serious accident that put him out of work and required surgery and physical therapy for his foot. As an added challenge, Michael normally gets around by bicycle and his injury has limited his mobility and made ride shares a necessary new cost for essential appointments and errands. When the worst is behind him, articulate, active, tech-savvy Michael hopes to return to his passion for computer hardware repair.
He also gives back, volunteering at a pantry in Passaic to help others. “I especially like to recommend different kinds of healthy and cultural foods to the people I serve,” he shared. “The point is to lessen their anxiety about how they’ll get enough to eat – just as CFBNJ does for me.”
Still, the future troubles him. At 60 years old – a proud grandfather of 13 – is now subject to the new changes to SNAP, which due to his injury and through no fault of his own, he may not be able to follow. As cuts are phased in, he could potentially face the loss of his benefits for three years.
“I’m definitely concerned about SNAP and increasing healthcare costs,” he said.
For Michael, the power of food – its ability to connect, comfort, and nourish – has always been clear. “When people think of food, it’s usually a happy memory,” he said. “Great inventions have been discovered over food. It alters the mood. If someone dies, we feed the remaining people. If you get married, you feed your guests. It’s all-encompassing.”