E very day I hear dark stories about the rising costs of gas, the loss of jobs and the number of homes at risk of being sold because of bankruptcies and fragile mortgages. The economy is definitely shaking and who among us could live comfortably for six months if we lost our job? How many senior citizens can withstand the rising costs of rents and utilities as they watch their once adequate savings dwindle. The stories are about our neighbors, friends and family members who have lost homes and jobs, are living with combined families to lessen expenses, or have experienced illness.
Terry K. lives in Ocean County and receives food from the First Baptist in Toms River. Terry’s family is hardworking but with the cost of fuel skyrocketing, her husband, a truck driver, has had his work cut in half. Terry delivers Chinese food at night but the fuel needed has cut largely into her pay. Without medical benefits, the family must pay over $600 a month to control Terry’s diabetic condition. Utility bills have almost doubled for this family. Two of Terry’s children work full time and help the family but with high utility rates and high rent the family has to visit two food pantries each month to keep food on the table. Terry’s two teenagers receive breakfast and lunch at school during the year, but summer means more meals for these growing kids.
“The food we receive helps quite a bit,” Terry says, but she still must feed her family hot dogs often, “eating meat only once a month.”
The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is also struggling – struggling to meet a need that has increased 30 percent in the past several months as donations have dropped by 15 percent. Our charities are overwhelmed by families that in the past could manage and now cannot. The FoodBank — an emergency food distribution center located in Neptune that provides food to over 200 soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and pantries — is trying to keep up with the demand. The warehouse has a meager look to it. Areas that once held 20-30 pallets of food are empty. Shelves on the racking are sparse.
Summer is always a time when donations drop, but this summer has seen a definite decline. The FoodBank is trying to meet the need of today while anticipating holiday demand. Turkeys must be purchased now to lock in prices that are at a market low. We anticipate providing turkeys to 10,000 this holiday season.
During this time of hardship for so many, there are numerous things that can be done to help. I am asking your readers for that help. Sponsor or organize a food drive at your place of business; encourage your child to ask his teacher about the Holiday Hunger food drive that happens in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in September and October; plant a row of autumnal vegetables and donate the produce to the FoodBank or a charity in your neighborhood. If you are a summer visitor and have food left in your rental, call the FoodBank and we will guide you to a donation site; and as always, if you are able, funds donated are always accepted.
So many community friends make it possible to do what we do on a daily basis and for that, we are extremely grateful. However, there are too many stories like Terry’s and we need more help for more people who are going without food in order to pay rent and utility bills. No one should go hungry in our country, state or communities.
If you need further information regarding the FoodBank and the charities that are served, please call 732-918-2600 or go to www.foodbankmoc.org. The FoodBank is located at 3300 Route 66 in Neptune.
Susan M. Kelly
Executive Director
The FoodBank of Monmouth
and Ocean Counties
Neptune