Paul* scans the food pantry at Tri-County CAP in North Providence for the fresh produce he likes to prepare with every meal. “My parents were both from Italy, so I always ate fresh food.”
Things look a little different for Paul these days, he shared when we met him at the pantry. When he was married, he and his wife both had good jobs and did fine. Now, he lives by himself in senior housing.
Until recently, Paul worked at The Providence Journal. He had to cut down his shifts to qualify for senior housing and then he was laid off. He says he’ll have severance to sustain him for a little while but will be on a fixed Social Security income after that.
“It’s just been hard, I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
Paul’s basic expenses caused him to turn to a food pantry for the first time in his life. He ticks off just a few of his monthly costs in our conversation:
- Rent: $816
- Medical insurance: $242
- Internet: $60
- Car insurance: $150
Not to mention maintenance. Paul recently had to put new tires on his car to the tune of $900.
“And that’s just me,” Paul added. “I don’t even understand how some people can raise a family these days. I wish I didn’t have to come here, but at the end of the month I’m very low on food.”
*Name and image changed to maintain anonymity
