A Once Thriving Family Has No Choice but to Turn to their Local Food Pantry

In a small flourishing NJ town where there is little poverty and an average income of $83,837, it’s hard to believe that there could be a food pantry assisting local residents. However, you will find local food pantries in many affluent towns. Here is a story about a once thriving family in the Borough of Rutherford that one day lost both of their sources of income and had nowhere else to turn, but to their helping neighbor, their local Food Pantry:

Life seemed ordinary to this successful family of four, with children ages five and eight, until one day, both parents found themselves laid off from their jobs due to the economic crisis. As it happens, their income dwindled and affording basic necessities started to become an issue. They had heard about the Rutherford Community Food Pantry and came out of desperation, only a few weeks after losing their jobs.

Upon visiting the pantry for the first time, the father of the household expressed how embarrassed, yet grateful he was for being allowed to come in and utilize the pantry’s services. He continued to come on his allowed basis for a little over six months. It was at that time that he secured a new job which fortunately allowed their family to regain some of their lost income. His next visit to the pantry wasn’t to collect goods; rather it was to say that since gaining employment with a new company, he and his family would no longer need to visit. The family stated several times how thankful they were for the opportunity to meet such wonderful volunteers who made their experience as comfortable as possible while being there.

Roughly twelve months later, the father returned to the pantry one day during volunteer hours. He went on to explain that having to use the pantry opened up his family’s eyes to all of the different challenges that people are forced to deal with at the most unexpected times. At this point, he and his family went back out to their car and came in with a donation of over five hundred dollars worth of food. The family estimated that the amount was what they had consumed during their time utilizing the pantry. They felt that since they had bounced back with the help of the Rutherford Community Food Pantry, they had to repay the pantry in kind.

Volunteering at the pantry, we hear about hardship after hardship and it’s stories like this one that remind us how much of an impact we can and continue to have on our community. It also reinforces the idea that our motto is true – Rutherford truly is a community where there are neighbors helping neighbors. We are very grateful to be serving in a community like ours.

If you’re interested in donating, volunteering or visiting the pantry, we can be reached via phone at 201-460-3000 Ext. 3168, via email at RutherfordFoodPantry@hotmail.com, on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/RutherfordFoodPantry, on Twitter at @RutherfordFoodP and during our hours of operation: Mondays 2:00PM to 4:00PM, Wednesday 5:00PM to 7:00PM, and Thursday 2:00PM to 4:00PM.