Voice of a Guest: Rodney
Rodney’s work history goes back to high school – back to when he began to live on his own. Over the years, he’s worked in security and in food prep for hotels. Four years ago though, unemployment jumped into the mix. Rodney was left without a job and a home, and found himself in the shelter system.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen was the first soup kitchen Rodney came to, and he still relies on it as he puts his life back together one step at a time.
“Holy Apostles has helped me in so many ways, especially since food stamps have been cut. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be in a lot of trouble. Everything is going up.”
Last year, Rodney decided he needed to get the kind of training required for a job that not only offers a paycheck, but security and benefits as well. After taking classes and studying hard, he took four tests, earning his commercial driver’s license on December 18th, 2013.
“No question about it. If it wasn’t for the soup kitchen there was no way I could even have food in my stomach.” For Rodney, food in his stomach meant he could study, drive, pass the CDL license, and start the process of applying for more competitive jobs than he had ever dreamed of having in the past.
While he’s been looking for jobs he’s continued to rely on the soup kitchen. “Without eating here there’s no way to survive. Bills, rent, storage, mta – there’s nothing left for food after that.”
