POCKETS OF NEED
By: Rebecca Tokarz
Editor’s note: Part of an occasional series focusing on issues of hunger and financial need in South Brunswick.
Prior to the end of last year, one South Brunswick resident and her three children were living comfortably.
There was enough food on the table and money to do simple things like go to the movies or purchase a video game.
While the 39-year-old single mother was at work, her younger children spent their day in the Princeton Family YMCA’s day-care program, while the older son attended school. The mother, who asked that her name not be used, picked her children up after work and together they would travel back to their township home by bus.
"I thought it was my dream. Life was fulfilling," the woman said.
The dream became a nightmare when the company she worked for in Princeton relocated to Boston, leaving 50 employees without jobs.
In the year that’s passed since she was laid off, her family has struggled with the financial stress of unemployment. She’s taken jobs as a temporary secretary or administrative assistant when she can get work. Some jobs lasted a couple of weeks, others a bit longer. But since October, she has been unable to secure even a temporary position.
"I do anything from medical receptionist to administrative assistant. This year’s been the hardest. There aren’t many temp assignments out there and people want to direct hire," the mother said.
She said she’d love to find full-time work somewhere, but she doesn’t have transportation and has to rely on employment opportunities that are located near a bus line. In addition, she would need someone to watch her children for extended periods of time. She has three boys, ages 3, 6 and 12.
The family has been receiving state unemployment checks during those extended periods when she has been out of work and some help with the heating bills during the winter. In addition, it has been relying on the services of groups like the South Brunswick Township Food Pantry.
The pantry is a township-run operation that provides needy families with food throughout the year. The pantry also runs a holiday program in which local residents and corporations donate food and presents for the families and their children.
The unemployed mom is among the 376 families the pantry has helped so far this year, including 99 families who received holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving. The number of families helped for Thanksgiving was a record for the program, according to township Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf.
Ms. Wolf said there are currently 112 families on the list for the Christmas holiday food basket distribution later this month. Ms. Wolf said she expects another 20 to 25 families to be added to the list as Christmas inches closer.
To prepare the holiday food baskets, schools, organizations and businesses donate food items, turkeys and gift cards redeemable at local grocery stores.
To receive help through the holiday program, a family meets with someone from the Department of Social Services to discuss the family’s needs and eligibility. The staff requests information, ages, sizes and wish lists, as well as any other needs such as food or clothing.
The community takes over from there, as residents, local businesses, individuals and even local schools sponsor a family and in some cases more than one. They contact Ms. Wolf, who sets them up with the first names of the family members, their ages and a wish list of gifts.
Donations from individuals and businesses for the holiday program will be accepted through Dec. 18.
The mother said that while she appreciates the help the pantry has provided, she doesn’t plan to continue using its services for much longer.
"Right now, I’m collecting unemployment. I won’t exhaust my benefits like that," she said. "I’m not going to do this very much longer. I have a great deal of pride and I don’t like to take stuff."
The mother said she has plans of giving back to the community when she gets back on her feet. She just isn’t quite sure how she will go about doing that.
In the meantime, the woman said she will continue to do her best to keep her children from realizing that the longer she goes without work, the tougher it will be for the family.
"I try to smooth things over so they don’t notice it. I don’t want them to have that burden on them. I don’t want my neighbors to know kids can be so cruel. You can’t tell I’m out of work, my children have clean clothes and go to school with snacks," she said. "If I have to cut back, I’ll cut back on things for myself. They can get their hair cut, not me."
In light of her situation, the mother said she has tried to do things with her children that she wouldn’t normally have time to do if she were working, like reading a book together or teaching her youngest how to write his name.
"Even if I’m out of work, I try to maintain what I had before, because you never know what’s going to happen," she said.
Donations for the South Brunswick Food Pantry can be dropped off at the Senior Center in the municipal complex on Ridge Road, Route 522, Monmouth Junction. The pantry’s hours are Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. by appointment only.
Checks can be made out to the Human Intervention Trust Fund and mailed to South Brunswick Township P.O. Box 109, Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852.
The food pantry is also in need of volunteers to help with packaging holiday baskets this year. For more information on volunteering, adopting a family or to schedule an appointment, contact Ms. Wolf at (732) 329-4000 ext. 677 or 672.