Tzu Chi’s Food Pantry Marks 12 Years of Care in NJ
Series: Tzu Chi USA GivingTuesday 2022 Charity ConcertFor more than a decade, volunteers at the Tzu Chi Mid-Atlantic Regional Office have been providing free and fresh groceries weekly to New Jersey residents in need. Nestled in Cedar Grove, it’s brought in waves of care recipients over the years, each with a different story.
Care recipient Rosalinda Coz explains: “several years ago I lost my job, and then shortly after that, I became ill,” she recalls, “that’s when I found out about the organization and… I started coming here.”
Every week, NJ residents like Rosalinda can come pick up boxes of fresh produce and other pantry staples. “You get the squash and you get potatoes, you get celeries, beans. And now the operation is from the car, so you just drive by and you don’t even have to get out of the car,” explains local volunteer Fran Showenfield; “it’s a nice amount of food, and it’s healthy food.”
Teary-eyed, Rosalinda admits, “we all need the help at some point.”
Yet, as Fran will tell you, care recipients are not the only ones who benefit. “The people are so gracious. I walk here and I get these big hellos and it’s just wonderful and I’m just… the bubble I used to live in, I feel like I’m breaking out of that bubble.”
Watch the video and ensure Tzu Chi Mid-Atlantic can continue to operate essential services like this at donate.tzuchi.us/nj.
Plus, see more videos like this, featured in Tzu Chi USA GivingTuesday 2022 Charity Concert, at video.tzuchi.us/series/givingtuesday-2022-charity-concert.
Credits
Director: Hannah Whisenant
DP: Borja Campillo
Producer: Ting Fan
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