Lunch Break's 40 Years of Battling Food Insecurity in Monmouth County

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welcome back to short time with vin and Dave Vin Avenue Dave crosson with you joining us here this hour this show Dr Carol Penn from the Red Bank based lunch break uh nonprofit talking about all the different services that that they offer to the Red Bank and Mammoth County community and have been over the years and Dave this is uh this week is their 40th anniversary very ni of serving this Red Bank and Mammoth County community and everything we're going to help tell their short story and share their story as well and to help do that uh Dr Carol pen welcome on to the show oh thank you so much for having me this is exciting for me to share the lunch break story and spread a good word we're excited to have you on this morning thank you yeah and happy anniversary to everybody at lunch break big uh big big week yeah that's a big one yes it is yes it is 40 years wow it's a lifetime so time time flies when you're having fun right exactly yes so how how have you seen uh be before we talk I guess about the lineage and everything uh Dr Penn uh tell us a little bit about lunch break for those uh in the Jersey Shore Community who uh would like to know more so what does lunch break do for Red Bank and for Mammoth County oh my goodness well lunch break really is is it's the heartbeat of Mam and Ocean County the community it looks out for people who you know may maybe they're going through a rough time maybe you know they they you know they can't quite make ends meet maybe there's some struggles with with job or underemployment or health insurance or under insurance and difficult to make that paycheck reach for the month they have more month than they have money maybe it's for people who don't have any resources at all and lunch break says that human life has value and dignity and part of having value and dignity means you need to have a good meal in your belly you need to have a safe and secure place to sleep at night you need to have a decent suit to go for that job interview you need to have life skills to cultivate the ability to stand out in an interview to really kind of you know polish that that unpolished diamond that you are so you can stand out in the world and you can participate as a citizen in our community that is making contributions so we have a number of programs that supply all of that and more to a person and we really believe in centering the Divinity of the human being so that you feel proud of yourself you feel like you can contribute and originally started where look there were hungry people in the community so let's make sure that everybody gets a meal and that has been the core of what lunch break has done for these 40 years but then beyond having the one or two hot meals a day guess what you need to be able to participate to feel like you belong in a community so what are those other pieces where you need to feel like you belong in a community as a woman we have a wonderful women's group called women's worth and maybe you've come out of a difficult relationship you've come out of feeling very low self-esteem do you need to have an opportunity to build your personal development your self-esteem so we have a program that addresses that as a a young person what skills do you need do you need to know how to belong in community so we've had cooking classes we've had arts classes we have programs for children from elementary school through high school as a person who maybe you're down on your luck and you haven't been employed for a while and you need to get back out in the job market so we have a life skills program to help you do just that find out what the the ways in which you can contribute and we have coaches that will Coach you into your fullness and your richness that's our life skills and give you very practical skills in terms of how to go on an interview how to create your resume how to create a budget for yourself and your family we have Claris closet because now that you've gotten these wonderful skills well you need to look sharp for the interview so that's a part of it you're appearance and you need to feel good and confident so you can come and you can have clothing that is appropriate to match your skill and to get make you feel confident in that interview so it really has become a 360 degree program that encompasses what it means to be a contributing participating member of society with a sense of belonging to that Community that's great it's very well-rounded you more than just um you know somewhere for a hot lunch or a meal or the food pantry but a well-round trying to help somebody become well-rounded a job service and so much more building up a resume Dave um you know I think it's it's great to provide those life skills well I think what's so important and and thank you for all that you don't do much there do you I tell you what my goodness that's that's fantastic because not only you helping somebody temporarily something's going on but you're also building up their confidence giving them a path giving coaching for them to get to the other side and that is so important absolutely absolutely and and you know lately we even taking on the housing crisis because it is also so important to have a safe secure place for yourself and your family if you are a person that is on medications well you need to have a safe place where you can put your medications some medications require refrigeration so you need to be in a place that has a reliable source of electricity so that your med medications can be refrigerated and they're safe for you to take so you know all of this is so fundamental to be a person who is participating fully in society and participating fully in a community so lunch break really looks where there is a need and we see how can we fill the Gap how can we span the void and make sure again that every person every guest that comes through our front doors feels and experiences their human dignity and they come to understand their value and their worth and that they can contribute even when life has been very unkind we're talking with Dr Carol Penn board member with the Red Bank based nonprofit lunch break uh do Dr Penn I mean certainly whether it was from the pandemic or everything that's happened afterwards in terms of the state of the economy in New Jersey what have been some of the challenges for lunch break in terms of the food pantry itself from any delivery issues or um any of the services that lunch prak provides how have you met some of those challenges and and endured to help out all these individuals and families I am so proud to say that we didn't miss a meal we fantastic we kept going it was fantastic we kept going through the pandemic we have an excellent excellent executive director and leader and Miss Gwyn love and you know she just she she pivoted she inspired the board to Pivot this is what's happening what do we need to do what do we need to know how do we keep our guest safe how do we keep our volunteers safe how do we keep our staff safe and most importantly how do we keep providing services to people in our community so when we could go online we went online we had volunteers that actually raised funds and contributed laptops and and and desktops and and iPads to different of our members so that their kids could go to school online so they wouldn't feel isolated and just connect Ed we created safety protocols where people could still come in and get their food and you know the way we packaged them and making sure that we were you know handing these meals out well packaged and people could could grab and go and while we certainly missed the community that we provide where people could come in sit down and have a meal somehow our volunteers were out there rain and shine either a or or as people were coming up to the building itself they were still extending that that greeting and that warmth and that love that says you know you're important we're so glad you're here and what do you need for us to support you here's your meal here's your food and we we just kept it going same thing you know with with the board I'm so proud of this board we we all pivoted we all went to you know it's like I think with zoom the virtual world is you're on you y yep true we've all been there yes you know as we tried to learn how to you know conduct business and conduct right correct meetings in in virtual reality um you know same thing reminding okay you know put your headphones on you know here comes the dogs and the C the kids and the partners yep yep oh my goodness but and you know even we we started our nutrition program in committee during the pandemic where we're really spearheading the idea that we want everyone to have the highest quality food and you know again educating the community educating our our our donors and whatnot that we need to understand that we want to contribute to the Continuum of health and so we want to give the highest quality of food and that sometimes means that you know maybe we're not going to um accept the the food that's packaged with the high fructose corn syrup because we don't want to be contributing to chronic illness so you know we really took on the food as medicine and took on this whole Health Initiative during the the heart of the pandemic and educating again our guests our staff our volunteers our Board of Trustees because we feel that in going through the pandemic there was also an opportunity in this crisis and this opportunity that occurred in this crisis was to look at everything that we were doing every program that we were delivering and also to look at you know what was going on with the food that we were serving because again we saw the chronicity of illness increase not just covid-19 but everything got worse heart got worse diabetes got worse cancer got worse so it was there something else that we could do to take what we were doing to a higher level to make sure that we were contributing to the solution and not contributing to the challenge or the problem problem so we took that on in the pandemic and it's been it's an ongoing process quite an educational process and it's wonderful to see people's lives transforming to see people's cholesterol levels lowering to see people's blood sugar levels lowering and we took it on globally so you know this is important for all of us right absolutely all our health without a doubt I think that's so important the education the proper food and especially during the pandemic you know the the healthier you are with what was going on and just moving forward you know take the time educate and eat the right foods will definitely help yeah and also you know build up the immune system I mean wants to you know fall victim to covid or anything the flu or any other type of virus that's out there and and a way to prevent getting sick in the first place right was one of our best defenses and one of the most powerful ways to do that is to build up your immune system and one of the most powerful ways to build up your immune system is through your relationship with food what are you consuming what are you putting into your body good points Dr pen wanted to discuss more about lunch break we have to head to a quick break can you stay with us I certainly can would love to there we go awesome I like the enthusiasm yeah definitely more short time with vin and Dave and Dr Carol Penn from the Red Bank based nonprofit lunch break right after this on 943 The Point hi this is christe Pierce Ram pone former US Women's soccer team captain Olympic gold medalist World Cup champion and Point barl High School alum and you're listening to short time with vin and Dave on 943 The Point tune in for some real conversation with Dave and Vin you don't want to miss this whether you're in the early stages of investing getting ready to retire or planning your estate you need a financial planner who will guide you on a clear path with honesty and transparency Shoreline wealth management understands that you are more than your money and they strive to help you realize your best life as they align your finances with your goals best of all Shoreline straightforward approach will include you in the process Shoreline wealth management is your financial anchor visit Shoreline wealth.com for more information Shoreline wealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial member finra sipc hey this is your UFC Championship fighter and Tom Jer High School East alumni Frankie Edgar and you're listening to shorttime with vin and Dave a 943 The Point Dave and Vin these guys are a buzz welcome back to short time with vin and Dave Vin Abu Dave cross and with you with us here this morning is Dr kyol Penn board member with the Red Bank based nonprofit lunch break we've been talking about all the great services that they do how they've met some of the challenges over the last couple years economic related or health related and so much more um they're celebrating their 40th anniversary 40th birthday this week of existence 40 Years of helping so many people across Red Bank and Mammoth County and Beyond uh Dr pen what talk want to start this uh part of our conversation this segment here talking about some of the history of lunch break uh that dates back to 1983 when everything first started with Norma toadd and some of the founding members but uh you have a a story that sort of predates how everything began in 198 3 so what can you tell us about how lunch break began and how it's changed over the years well yes you know I love love love telling this story and that this story is a part of my history I'm a proud fourth generation red banker and the founder of lunch break Norma Todd and her husband James Todd and my parents were very very close friends so I grew up knowing Norma Todd and oh my goodness always been this this Dynamo and such a a person with far-reaching vision and so her husband James podd was the 11th africanamerican to be appointed to the United States Diplomatic Corps and he had posts all over the world and whenever they were fairly close to the United States that was an opportunity to go visit them so they were in Barbados and this was back in 1972 and Aunt Norma is talking about one day that you know Mr Todd Uncle Jimmy as I used to call him you know would retire and they would and they would retire and her dream was to retire to the community of Red Bank New Jersey and while they had been on many what would be referred to as hardship post around the world Aunt Norma was always involved with the Girl Guides and she was always very interested in making sure that issues around hunger and food insecurity were addressed that was kind of her passion and her Mission um while she was traveling and on these on these different posts and she said but you know what I know there are people in my home community of Red Bank New Jersey that are hungry that are strugg Ling and even though we live there where there's so much seeming abundance there are still people that are kind of living in the shadow and they need to eat too and I want to make sure that those people are fed that they aren't struggling that they aren't living through food insecurity so even you know back then she had a sense of this and sure enough when about 10 years later when Uncle Jimmy said you know it's time it's time for me to come out it's time to for me to retire Aunt Norma true to her word say yep and we are going back to Philadelphia red bang see he was from Philadelphia he said nope we are retiring to Red bang we are not going to nice there you go putting the foot down yes there you go and they made and because what she had given up her life to you know to be with him as he you know traveled the world she like no my time retirement is in red B you know we you know you've done your career and has been throughout the world fabulous but no we gonna do this and so that and and I never forgot that you know her passion and her determination and that she could see the need and and that she wasn't afraid of rising up to this Challenge and making a way out of nowhere I I had really not been aware of someone creating anything like this from the ground up and she was so focused and so determined and when she came back um she was a member of the St Thomas Episcopal Church in Redbank and that's exactly where she started they had a professional commercial kitchen the church and she went to the uh Reverend and you know shared her dream and her vision and she said you know father there are people in this community that are hungry and I'm going to feed them and some people like well you know how do you she says I know I grew up here I'm from here and I know these people have not had the opportunities and the advantages and these are good people and they shouldn't have to be hungry they shouldn't have to feel ashamed and once more it's not going to be be treated like you know they're giving a handout they're going to be my guest and they'll Be Our Guest will you help me and she so right from the beginning it was this attitude of Grace and that I'm not helping you because I see myself better than you or above you I'm helping you because I am you because you are a part of the interconnected web of humanity and there is dignity worth and value in every human life I love that that is fantastic that's yes and that's how lunch break began and she invited other people likeminded people who also saw the value and dignity in every human life no matter how it was appearing and how it was manifesting and how you know challenged a person might be she invited people who felt like no this is a human being and as a human being there's Divinity in this human being and I am addressing that Divinity I'm calling that out I am lifting that up and this person deserves to be whole and healed and healthy and have an opportunity to contribute and participate in society because they have value worth and dignity and they have a contribution to make and she that was that was it that was it and she says so right from the beginning other other people again regardless of their station in life if that's what they felt about other human beings that's who she wanted to work with and she's cultivated that and that has been carried on and passed down to everyone who gets involved with lunch break so I know for me as a person who has volunteered with lunch break and now as a person who has the privilege of serving On The Board of Trustees I feel that my life has been poured into and filled up far more than anything that I might have given in my service to the community through lunch break and I think if you were to speak to other board members that would resonate you would find that with other board members and other volunteer other volunteers we get so much more than we give by participating in this community that's great and I love how the just a story to history you know people helping people in their own community in Red Bank and Mammoth County just what do you need what can I do to help out um and and Dr pen there's been a um so many volunteers over the years that have helped in the efforts of of lunch break as well um how have those volunteers made a difference and and even now uh moving forward over the next few weeks and months and years uh how can people get involved in in Red Bank and from Mammoth County to help you and everybody with lunchbreak uh in the community how can they get involved with volunteering or helping out or donating donations right absolutely please you know all the information is there on our website lunchbreak dorg you can see how to volunteer you can see what is needed and what to give and when to give uh again you know we're we're always we're always happy for contributions from you know Clara's closet to contributing ideas to help support our programs no donation is too small so if you have a dollar to give give a dollar if you've got a million dollars to give give the million dollars there you go well you're you're that's right that's right you are am I correct in saying a 501c3 organization yes we are we are a 501c3 organization very very transparent uh in terms of our financials and that the history of the funds being used appropriately and used as designated well the reason I wanted to bring that up for people that want to maybe donate money that you know are looking for a tax break because obviously the you know with a 501c3 there may be some tax advantages again I'm not saying that's the only reason for doing it but for somebody who does give money to different organizations here's a nice opportunity to help their situation as well as help the good work that you're doing yeah AB absolutely and you know and I say there's really something for everybody some people do want to come down because you know and physically and contribute by actually being there and you know other people you know they want to do it but they're working full-time they have you other purposes and Mi Mission with their time but that doesn't mean that they don't want to see something like this alive in the world so there and you know there is no no no contribution that we will turn away no Financial contribution too small no donation of your time there you go small so you know please please please you know again it's part of that interconnected web we all have value worth and dignity and this is a way to bring it together and I really think lunch break should be a an international model in terms of how people can work together coming together through this sense of purpose and how people from different political backgrounds social backgrounds you know eth ethnic backgrounds all of it can really be alive in the world in a way that makes the world a better place and it it makes me proud of being a part of a community that offers this and that it's it's a community that I want to grow old in and it's a world creating a world that I want to leave to my children and my grandchildren and their grandchildren and I think that lunch break models this not only for Mammoth and Ocean County in New Jersey but it models it for the United States and it models it for the the community of the world yeah well I think it's so important you bring up a great point there are so many different people politics different opinions different thoughts different ideas let's all come together for the common good and help each other help feed each other yes so important I'm glad you brought that up yes yeah very very very important and and you do see that in the lunch break community that you know people who you might not think would be paired together or people you might not think would be working together and yet there we are side by side shoulder to soier because again at at that the heartbeat of lunch break is that every human being has value dignity and worth and can make a meaningful contribution and that's that's just it that goes across the board and it transcends politics it transcends race and ethnicity and it comes down to the heart of humanity and what it means to be a human being Dr Penn before we let you go um what what else do you want to get out there about what lunch break does for the community and how people can get involved all the different services that you offer and how people can seek out Services as well yes so there if you're in need of services same thing if you go to our our website you can certainly also you know reach us by phone and you know you you you listen to the menu on the phone and you know press the number that applies to you and again understand that if you are in need of services you know you're you're you're elevated you're treated as a guest you're not treated as a person who needs a handout you're treated as a person who is again coming into that lunch break Community to make a contribution I learn from everybody whether you're a board member or you're a a guest coming for a meal because why you have dignity worth and value and something to contribute so you know you get to come in there with your head up and your shoulders back and you are treated for the valuable person that you are oh beautifully said can I just say something you are awesome and I really really enjoy this conversation a well thank you so much for having me this has been a delight an honor and a pleasure for me to be a guest on your show and thanking you thank you for doing what you're doing and bringing a positive word and Outlook into the community yeah we appreciate that Dr pen and would be would love to have you and and anybody from a lunch break on again at some point in the future to discuss all the all the great work you've done and all the great work you're continuing to do so please help please keep doing what you're doing for the Red Bank and Mammoth County community and uh and hopefully you can continue to grow that volunteer and donation base as well thank you so very much that is Dr Carol Penn board member with the Red Bank based nonprofit lunch break you can go to lunch break. org for more information to seek out services to volunteer to learn more about lunch break and then share it with your family and friends as well more short time with vin and Dave right after this on 943 The Point hey this is Frankie pantang you should be listening to Vin and Dave on 943 The Point yes oh whether you're in the early stages of investing getting ready to retire or planning your estate you need a financial planner who will guide you on a clear path with honesty and transparency Shoreline wealth management provides clarity through the complexity with offices in Manchester and Manahawkin Shoreline wealth management is your financial anchor visit Shoreline wealth.com for more information and start your financial Journey with comfort and security today Shoreline wealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial member finra sipc hi this is high performance executive coach Dana Cavalia and former director of strength and conditioning for the New York Yankees and you're listening to short time with vin and Dave a 943 the point it's always great to hang with Champions and these two guys are champions