By Julia Train
About twelve years ago, an unexpected snowstorm blanketed South Jersey that left stores—including Wawa— closed and services cut off.
For Elizabeth Klein and her family, the snowstorm was just another opportunity for the lifelong Egg Harbor Township residents to help the community.
No stores were open, but she happened to have everything needed to make soup and coffee. So Klein, along with her husband Ray and daughter, started making hot beverages, soups and food for those working in the snow.
She spread the word to friends who had family members who were out in the storm. Klein said she would have some free food available and that they should stop by.
Klein and her husband, a trained chef, once operated a food truck and are no strangers to feeding a crowd. Cooking for others had become second nature to them, especially for Klein, whose mother had always maintained an open-door policy for anyone in need of a meal.
With that spirit in mind, the Kleins opened their doors during the storm and made enough food to feed their neighbors, local volunteers and first responders. Elizabeth and her husband both grew up and raised their daughter in EHT so they felt especially connected to the community.
“We’re just immersed in this township, and we have this innate need to feed people. It’s just in us. It’s in our genes,” said Klein. “I don’t have the title of ‘chef,’ but I can cook my butt off, just like the rest of them. So honestly, for us to open our pantry and create, without exaggeration, five gallons of soup, it can happen in no time for us.”
Over the next 24 hours, their home became a welcoming space where people could stop in for a hot meal. Some ate there; others took food to go.
This gesture was not a one-time event. Over the years, the Klein family has continued to step up in times of crisis—whether during snowstorms, local floods or personal tragedies. When a young public works employee tragically died in a car accident in recent years, the Kleins provided food for his memorial service from their food truck.
During the snowstorm that swept the area earlier this month on Jan. 6, Klein posted on Facebook.
“Our kitchen is stocked with coffee, hot chocolate, tea. We have fresh baked goods – chocolate chip cookies, banana bread and sourdough apple crumb and of course, fresh baked sourdough.We have three soups (ready around 10am) – ham and bean, creamy turkey rice and a hearty pasta vegetable,” the post read.
She even said her 26-year-old daughter, who had recently gotten married and bought a house down the street, came over like usual to help.
In addition to opening their home, the Kleins have used social media to keep their community connected. Through their business page, Bare Knuckle Cafe, Klein shares recipes, highlights local farms and keeps people informed about when they are offering meals or help. The page has become a hub for community support, allowing them to quickly spread the word when food or assistance is needed.
“People shouldn’t be afraid to support their community. There’s so much hesitation… Don’t be afraid to immerse yourself into a community, it comes back tenfold,” said Klein.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
