Grandmother of five Mona recently visited CFBNJ’s Community Assistance Pantry in Egg Harbor Township for the first time – but it wasn’t her first time receiving help from the FoodBank. She’s been to CFBNJ’s mobile pantry before, and both programs have made a real difference.
“Coming to the pantry saves money because grocery prices are out of control,” she said. Between what the pantry provides and $160 per month in SNAP benefits, every bit helps – especially during the summer, when her income drops off steeply.
“Once summer comes, I suffer because my income declines dramatically,” Mona shared. During the school year, she works as a driver for kids with special needs. She receives unemployment over the summer, but under punitive new rules imposed by the recently approved budget reconciliation bill, three months without work could lead to the loss of her SNAP benefits for three years.
“SNAP is very helpful. It’s a lifeline,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do without it. I would just have to muddle through the summer months.”
Mona lives alone but receives frequent visits from her five grandchildren – two of whom are young enough to need babysitting at ages 5 and 7. They come to her house at least twice a week – more often, if their parents need extra help.
At the pantry, Mona stocks up on fruits and vegetables – and gets a little something extra for the kids. “I got cookies for the little ones, too!” she exclaimed.
While Mona looks forward to returning to work in the fall, the summer months remain a test of endurance. “It’s a struggle, but it’s a short struggle. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Still, with help from CFBNJ, she knows she’s not alone: “It helps a lot. It’s not just meaningful to me – it means a lot to the rest of the community, too.”