Robert loves to cook. Prior to his 30-year career as a commercial and home real estate contractor, he attained his culinary certificate and worked in restaurants in the Pittsfield, Massachusetts area.
But everything changed when Robert had a heart attack four years ago.
He could no longer work, and it became more difficult to afford quality ingredients for the meals he cooked at home. For groceries, he relies on funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“It’s a real change of life,” he said.
With inflation, he knew he wouldn’t be able to buy the necessary ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. When he goes to the grocery store, he finds that “typically, what was a $25 venture is now double that.”
Robert spoke as he and his dog Kuki waited for the start of the 11th annual Thanksgiving Angels, a collaboration of 21 food pantries, organizations, and faith communities to distribute 1,700 holiday meals to households in the Pittsfield, Massachusetts area.
Thanks to their efforts, nearly 6,500 men, women, and children received turkeys and the fixings to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving meal in their homes.
Robert was thrilled to be able to work with quality ingredients again.
Otherwise, “I would probably go to the deli and get some thick sliced turkey, throw some instant potatoes on it with some gravy, and that would be it,” he said. “I wouldn’t have the ability have real roasted turkey.”
While he awaits his new heart, Robert makes sure to give back to his community through advocacy work, including by ministering to people who are homeless and by helping make sure that the city is compliant with mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
He said he wants to stay engaged and continue to be a positive influence in his community.