At 75, Richard has led a busy life. He was a medic in the Army, worked as a long distance truck driver and as a contractor for many years, and has quite an extended family, including 20 grand- and great grandchildren. His (third) wife is Tanzanian, and currently living there after being deported several years ago. She had overstayed her visa, and being married to an American citizen does not mitigate that offence. She has family in Tanzania, but communication between the two countries is poor, so she and Richard only speak every four or five months.
Richard says he came to JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry about a year ago because he was worried there wasn’t enough food for the kids. His disability benefits amount to only $750 a month, so the help he gets from the Pantry is vital – and much appreciated. He calls the Pantry a blessing, and showers praise on the staff and volunteers. “Everyone there is so wonderful,” he says, “and the food is great.”
Despite having Parkinson’s and using a wheelchair, Richard keeps busy and tries to give back. He’s known in the neighborhood as the guy who can fix anything: furniture, sweepers, any kind of machine. He’s often seen around Squirrel Hill with his service dog Chee.
More than 40% of the clients at the Food Pantry are seniors, people who have worked hard all their lives and now struggle with fixed incomes and rising costs. And another 24% are children, like those in Richard’s family. JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry is committed to these clients, and all those who face food insecurity in our community.
Thank you, Richard, for sharing your story with us.
If you are having trouble putting food on the table for your family, and live in the 15217 zipcode, please contact JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry at 412-421-2708. In addition, the Pantry serves anyone who lives in the Pittsburgh region who keeps kosher or needs gluten-free food.
Photo: Megan Walker