Everyone deserves access to the nutritious food that keeps our bodies healthy. But when SNAP benefits are reduced or cut off, those already facing the greatest health challenges – seniors and people living with disabilities – are often the first to feel the strain.
Bruce has lived in Duquesne his entire life and spent many years working as a chef. He remembers the days when he was strong, active, and constantly on the move. “I used to walk from here to TGI Fridays. I was real athletic and stuff like that. I’d walk there, work until three in the morning, and then walk home. I was serious about what I’m doing,” he says with a quiet pride.
Service has always been part of who Bruce is. Over the years, he has been a steady volunteer in his community, driven by gratitude for the help he’s received and a deep belief in paying it forward.
Today, like so many across our region, Bruce is navigating life with a disability. Despite his limited income, he has been told he earns just one dollar too much to qualify for SNAP benefits – support that would make a meaningful difference in his monthly budget. When asked about his finances, Bruce doesn’t sugarcoat it: “It’s tight. No, it’s tight. It is tight and it’s hard.”
To help make ends meet, he now visits food pantries, including The Market, for the basics most of us rarely think twice about. “That’s where you nourish, especially with older people. Milk, eggs, meat, and bread. That’s what you need.”
Your support makes sure neighbors like Bruce don’t go without the basics – feeding through the gap with dignity and nutritious food.