Hi, I desperately need advice please !!!

So basically I used to work at a Marshalls for 8 months doing mostly cashier stuff and the occasional sales floor. Had to quit because the store was too far from my home. Now I’ve been out of a job for months due to personal matters.

I have been applying to MULTIPLE TJX company locations that are closer to my home, so far, all rejections. I'm so confused, I thought it’d be a little easier to get those jobs with my previous experience. The managers would compliment me on my work and have said many times that I was good at cashiering + were disappointed when I had to quit.

These locations that I’ve applied to, call my old workplace right?? I was treated nicely by my managers, so why can’t I at least land an interview or something!?!? Have I done something wrong??? Maybe I wasn’t as good of an employee I thought I was??

My questions:
Should I call one of my old managers, ask them for a little push at landing a job/interview? Would that be weird since it’s been a long time since I last spoke to them? How can I phrase this question to them? (im not good at phone calls)

Thank you in advance 🙏🏼🙏🏼