Written by Mary McCusker
The dreary rain did not stop Catholic Charities staff from running drive-through food distributions in four counties of South Jersey on Friday, April 24. And it did not stop more than 300 individuals from making their way to the distribution sites to pick up much-needed groceries for themselves and their family members.
At each site, the process was simple. Individuals were instructed to drive up to the distribution site in their county, located mostly in the parking lots of Catholic Charities offices. There, drivers were welcomed by Catholic Charities staff members who loaded boxes of food items into the trunks of their cars.
Melissa Hruska, Catholic Charities’ regional coordinator for Atlantic, Cape May and Gloucester counties and Disaster Resiliency Program Director, oversees food distributions. In Atlantic and Cape May counties, she and her staff ensured that every person who arrived in need left with an allotment of food and a measure of relief.
She explained that, especially in Atlantic County, the nation’s third most at-risk area for job loss due to the coronavirus pandemic, residents have been hit particularly hard.
Others in need were seniors living on a fixed income who just needed a few items. Many more simply did not have money or access to food for themselves and their family members.
Whatever the reason was that led them there, Hruska explained, “People were extraordinarily grateful. Even though they were wearing masks which covered most of their faces, you could see their eyes squint as they smiled and thanked us.”
The staff members working that day said the diverse populations seeking help at the sites in Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic and Salem County, were invariably patient, appreciative, and respectful of the safety guidelines that were put in place.
Some, Hruska noted, felt a sense of guilt and shame. She explained that one man in particular had tears in his eyes as he explained why he was there: he had recently lost his job and was desperately looking for a new one. “I promise that I’m trying to get everything back on track,” he said, bowing his head. “I just need a little bit of food to support myself in the meantime.”
As she loaded items into a bag for him, she assured him not to worry. “That’s why we’re here,” she said. “And we’re not going anywhere.”
These bimonthly food distributions are part of Catholic Charities’ ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic. The agency has been able to adapt to new requirements and safety precautions while still serving the people of Southern New Jersey with services such as mental health counseling, addiction healing services, housing counseling, and other essential needs like food, clothing and diapers.
Executive director of Catholic Charities, Kevin Hickey, explained that following each crisis, there are two stages: response and recovery. After a crisis hits, the first stage, he said, is response. “As an agency, we’re coordinating and managing our resources to ensure that immediate needs are being met. And while there are many things that we can’t predict, we will continue to respond as challenges surface.” Eventually, he noted, the agency will move into a “recovery” stage, which consists of working toward long-term stabilization of families and individuals within their communities.
If you or anyone you know is in need of help, or to donate to Catholic Charities, please visit: www.CatholicCharitiesCamden.org