With Cost Of Living On The Rise, Working Class Ocean County Families Turn To Food Pantries

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The rising cost of living in the Tri-State area has hit some harder than others, adding to the ranks of the working poor.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, food pantries are now struggling to meet growing demand.

Diana Basso is a single mother of two teenagers. She's working hard to support her family, but sometimes it's just not enough.

"Even just milk, and cereal is so expensive for the kids and when you have medical bills and utilities, help with groceries is a big deal," Basso said.

She picks up food at the People's Pantry in Toms River off Hooper Avenue.

"I don't know what I would do if this wasn't here. It's been a god sent," Basso said.

More than 100 families line up in the waiting room of the pantry each day. That adds up to more than 8,000 individuals helped each month.

"Eighty-seven percent of people we see are working class. They don't qualify for social services, food stamps, nothing. Blue collar, middle class people, having a hard time making ends meet," Pat Donaghue said.

"You sit out there, talk to them -- all the same thing, all working and trying, just need a little extra help," Bob Sutton said.

The working poor have unfortunately become the new normal in Ocean County.

"Even with two people in the house working, they still come here to get stuff, because it's the rent, car payment, insurance, it's all high, so they need to come here," Sutton said.

Mayor Tom Kelaher said things spiraled downward after the housing crisis and Superstorm Sandy.

"Toms River, as nice as it is, we do have some problems. One of those problems is the highest senior citizen population in the country second to Miami Dade," he said.

And the second highest foreclosure rate.

Volunteers will start distributing more than turkeys on Saturday, they are looking for monetary donations to help them restock after Thanksgiving.