Neighbors Served with Dignity

The need is so great that some of the pantry’s neighbors begin lining up and signing in as early as 6:30 a.m. The sound of the ringing cowbell quickly quiets the crowd, as it indicates that in just a few minutes one of the twice-weekly McGregor Baptist Church pantry distributions will begin.

As many as 55 volunteers gather in the warehouse for any last-minute alerts and a prayer. They greet the neighbors who are here to receive some of the thousands of pounds of food and produce supplied by Harry Chapin Food Bank, five Publix stores, and one Aldi store.

One of the early arrivals is Utah native Genene. For this Brooklyn-raised 61-year-old, this pantry is “family — they know me.” And they should — she began coming to the pantry in 1989, before it relocated to its present location on Fowler Street. That’s the year she was left alone to care for and support her two children. Now, with 10 people in her family living together and Genene being the only one able to work; one daughter is under treatment for cancer, while her stepdaughter has multiple sclerosis, “Things are hard,” she said, “and enrollment in the SNAP program and disability payments only go so far. It doesn’t matter how healthy or rich you are,” she said. “We help those in need.”

The pantry distributes fresh produce and meats “that you don’t get anywhere else,” Genene noted. “Still, we make do with whatever they can give,” she said with thanks. Fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, and cheese — when they are obtainable — are much appreciated by grateful recipients. The number of food bags is carefully prepared to account for family size: marked “A” for a single person; “B” for 2-3 recipients; “C” for 5 to 8 people; and “C+” for over eight.

By 10 a.m., Genene and about 25 neighbors in line are shown to chairs in the waiting area. As each family is called to work with a counselor, more of those standing outside fill the newly empty chairs. And that’s how it continues until the last of the food is dispensed — until next time.