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The HOPE in Hope Mobile
It’s a Friday. It’s overcast. It’s 6 a.m. in Pennsauken and despite the clouds there is a warmth that fills the air with the unmistakable energy that unites communities, forges friendships and creates opportunities for change.
The Food Bank of South Jersey’s Hope Mobile food distributions throughout South Jersey have been busier than ever, as thousands upon thousands of food-insecure people are drawn to the hope they deliver from Pennsauken to Swedesboro, Willingboro to Glassboro and Burlington City to Lindenwold. Hope Mobiles are mobile food distributions, with thousands of pounds of nutritious, shelf-stable and fresh foods and beverages brought to food-vulnerable communities.
For many, Hope Mobiles are a vital food resource to sustain healthy eating in households which include individuals, families and seniors. Plentiful in supplies, Hope Mobiles are, for many in South Jersey, the barrier between sustainable wellness and crushing hunger.
“Now, more than ever, South Jersey relies on our mobile food distributions,” reports Fred C. Wasiak, President & CEO, Food Bank of South Jersey. “As South Jersey navigates the increased food insecurity that has come to us in these recent months, the nutrition driven into communities by our Hope Mobile has taken on a far greater meaning for us all.”
Thankfully, people like Drew, Carmen and Cyndi put the hope in Hope Mobile food distributions.
Driving Drew:
Driving FBSJ’s Hope Mobile to locations throughout South Jersey, Drew Johnson covers more than 750 miles a month delivering to 10 locations in seven hunger-impacted towns. Drew always connects with volunteers and participants, making all feel welcome and appreciated.
Careful Carmen:
A champion FBSJ team member for more than 15 years, Carmen Perez makes sure Hope Mobiles run smoothly – keeping organization in place when thousands of items are being distributed to hundreds of people in mere minutes. If there is a food item loaded onto a Hope Mobile truck, Carmen is aware of it – and more. With meticulous care to detail, and an intense commitment to exceeding expectations, Carmen ensures Hope Mobile distributions are fully stocked – and smartly structured.
Selfless Cyndi:
Pennsauken’s Cyndi Holshue is an above and beyond person. She, along with her daughter, Jamie, leads the Pennsauken Hope Mobile distribution twice every month – as they have done for several years. Reliable, dependable and dedicated, Cyndi was the first person to answer the call when the Food Bank of South Jersey needed to move additional food resources out to the community due to COVID-19. Cyndi’s passion for helping others has earned her the respect and affection of her community.
What does it take to drive a Hope Mobile?
It takes a Drew, a Carmen, a Cyndi. It takes a Charlie, a Jennifer, a Ryan. It takes a Robyn, a Wilma, a Jeff. It takes a Renee, a Gerald, a Peter.
What does it take to drive a Hope Mobile?
It takes a village of people, working together, committed and honored to feed South Jersey.
With rising food insecurity impacting South Jersey due to the rapid unemployment, mounting health issues and severe community restrictions crippling life in a COVID-19 world, the Food Bank of South Jersey’s Hope Mobile food distributions are seeing a more than 200 percent increase in attendance.
This number will climb in the weeks to come.
Thankfully, there is hope… for us all.
SPRING NEWSLETTER
A Taste of Compassion: Stay up to date on all that’s happening at the Food Bank of South Jersey with our SPRING NEWSLETTER. This issue, discover the HOPE in hope mobile! #HOPEmobile #EndHungerinSJ
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