SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – A resident from Syracuse’s Westcott neighborhood visited a food pantry for the first time on
Saturday and left with a bittersweet taste.
Food insecurity brought Matthew Sugden to Vineyard Church at 718 S. Beech St.
“I got hurt at work six or seven months ago and received no money from my job, was unable to get
any social help so I spent my life savings,” he said.
Post-injury food insecurity occurs when there is a sudden lack of income and out-of-pocket health care costs force people like Sugden to make a decision between paying for prescriptions and food.
Although Sugden returned to work two months ago he has still not received any pay, and struggles to put
food in the refrigerator. Unable to qualify for food assistance programs he chose to visit the food pantry.
Pastor Jean Holm, Vineyard food pantry organizer, said the increasing cost of living is another reason for the increase in visitors to Central New York food banks.
Holm said higher living costs are affecting people from senior citizens not on set incomes to international students unaware of expenses. “They just can’t afford it…it’s a struggle,” she said.
Sugden, who falls into another category of residents newly reliant on the food bank due to an inability to secure food stamps, said the community spirit within the pantry humbled him. “It was good and bad,” he admitted after his first experience. He said he hoped it would be his last experience collecting food from a food bank.
When he finished loading his small motorcycle trunk with food items, he was asked what he was most looking forward to eating later. He smiled and said, “My pride.”
‘My Pride’: One Man’s Hardest Meal
Reporter: Denise has been volunteering at this food pantry for the last three years. She likes to give out candy to the kids and appreciates the companionship.
Denise: I’m a single, older woman and I get a lot of gratification from volunteering. It makes me feel really good that I’m contributing to society.
Reporter: Pastor Jean Holt set up the pantry after an awful experience many years ago using a food bank herself. She says it was humiliating and she was made to feel like dirt.
Pastor Jean Holt: I wanted to make sure when we have our pantry that everyone shall love, there’s laughter, there’s joy and it’s a family environment.”
Reporter: She says it’s part of the Church’s mission to serve the poor, and she’s looking to move into a bigger premises soon, offering food, clothes and even more hugs from Denise to the community.
Denise: It was sweet when she came back and wanted a hug, it was really really sweet.
Reporter: Jason Vandaele, NCC News.