JULY 7, 2017
Jennifer Alejos, Marketing Specialist
“I’m just glad that I live in the country like the U.S. that has food banks to help people. I feel blessed that even though I’m considered poor I can still have something to eat.”
Jeffrey, a senior in his late 60s, feels fortunate for the people in his life that have helped him stay off the streets.
He has been going to one of our partner agencies for more than 2 years now. Jeffrey served in the army for 25 years, departing as a Chief Warrant Officer II.
When Jeffrey left the service, he had a difficult time finding work so he decided to take care of his parents, including his mother who was bedridden at the time.
His family has been a big help over the years. His sister assists him with rent and family members invite him over for major holidays.
Jeffrey lives frugally by only purchasing clothes from Goodwill and using his car only to drive to the food pantry and his senior community center.
“I don’t have a running a/c in my car but I don’t need to get far,” says Jeffrey.
He also volunteers at the mobile pantry distribution by helping carry food into the vehicles of other clients who are in need.
When Jeffrey first came to the food pantry, he lacked a nutritious diet and weighed 260 pounds. Now, he’s at a steady 190 pounds. He credits the Food Bank for his transformation by providing access to fresh produce and helping him to cut out junk food.
He receives grocery staples through our Project H.O.P.E program and supplements the rest of his meals with items from the food pantry and food stamps.
“I’ll get rice, beans, and spaghetti from the Food Bank and balance it with meat that I buy with my food stamps,” he says.
He’s thankful for the help he’s received from his family and the Food Bank. “I struggle but it’s enough to get by. I can find ways to stretch my meals.”
“I’m just glad that I live in the country like the U.S. that has food banks to help people. I feel blessed that even though I’m considered poor I can still have something to eat.”