John never imagined he would one day need the same help he once gave others. Originally from Massachusetts, he previously worked at a homeless shelter, supporting people during some of their hardest times. “Everyone has a story,” John said.
He moved to Arizona looking for work, but when he couldn’t find employment his money quickly ran out. Suddenly, he found himself without a place to live. “I’m homeless.”
For the past eight months, John has been living out of his van. He parks wherever he can, in random parking lots or truck stops and does his best to get by. “I’ve got everything in my van, a stove, a cooler, a bed,” he shared. What he doesn’t have are the basic necessities most people take for granted. “I don’t have a shower, so I have a cheap gym membership where I keep myself clean.”
John learned about St. Mary’s Food Bank through his sister-in-law. “She’s the one who turned me on to this place,” he says. Now, St. Mary’s helps him get through each week. “As far as the food, I’m grateful for what you do give me,” John said. “I’m blessed.” Using an electric burner in his van, he is able to prepare meals. “If it wasn’t for you,” he added, “a lot of us would be starving — I mean literally starving.”
