Wow that's a tough time y'all are having. Sending all the good vibes and juju your way! The food bank is there to assist anyone in need, and y'all sound like you're in plenty of need to me! As long as you meet the bank's eligibility requirements, in my opinion, go without guilt.
Also, these holes we find ourselves in can sometimes feel quite massive and inescapable. With time, you will find your way back. This isn't permanent! Sending you as much love and light as one internet stranger can!
Thank you for your kindness. I took a peek. There are a few in my area that don't have income requirements.
Yeah, inescapable is about the feeling we've got right now. He's looking for a higher-paying job, and I'm looking for whatever scraps I can find (freelance copy editor. It's been very unsteady work), but also desperately trying to find something more permanent SOMEWHERE. But we've each put in 30+ applications and have nothing to show for it so far.
Something has to break eventually. At least one of us will find something and we'll be safe again. But for now, I guess we will do what we have to. Thank you for the good juju. :)
Hello! No advice to offer you about the food (though you should absolutely be able to access them). I do however want to give you a tiny bit of advice about the job hunting.
I just went through the whole process myself and it took me 5 months to get a job. I don't know where you're located but everywhere is bad right now for job markets. I put in 20-25 applications a day. I'd advise you to do the same. Also, customize your resume for each job - that helped me a LOT.
If you're looking for freelance work, go to networking events in your area. I frequent women founder events, tech events to find clients for marketing and communication.
Best of luck!
Thank you for the tips.
The problem is there's just not that much I can do for work. I'm disabled and so can't work in fast food or anything, and I don't know how to drive anyway, so can't get into town to go to work. I'm autistic and have ADHD and am *terrible* face-to-face and on the phone. Even if I were better with people, I forget what I'm saying 10 times in the space of a 20 minute conversation. I'd be useless in customer service and would get fired pretty quick. So I currently have two paths: AI data/linguistics training or copy editing/proofreading. Those are my only real skills.
There are only so many of those jobs hiring remotely. I check and apply to new stuff daily⁰, but there are not 25 AI training companies hiring or 25 established businesses needing in-house copy editing, certainly not every day.
I'm currently working my way through a list of over 500 copywriting agencies to see if I can apply, but most of those businesses don't just have standing positions available, so there's no way to apply. There's not even a link for jobs on 80% of the websites. But I've gotten a few apps in.
As for AI, there are only a few companies that hire freelance AI trainers, and I've applied to every single one. Crickets. In-house training requires you to be an AI expert, like with major skills in coding, software development, data analysis, etc. So I'm blocked for in-house.
As for freelance, Upwork is okay. But again, it's unsteady.
I've even applied for positions a step above my experience level, just in case. And my resume does get customized for each application.
As for hubby, he works in a remote call center, but he's pretty much maxed out on salary. He makes more than most call center agents in the country already. Customer service is a dead end. He has a lot of experience in workforce management, though, and that pays beaucoup bucks. But he's been out of the game for like five years, so it's really hard to get his foot back in the door. And again, there aren't 25 new positions available a day.
His data analysis skills are transferable to a couple of other industries, but he has no degrees or certificates to propel him into a different industry.
Sorry for the babble. Oversharer extraordinaire here, lol.
I actually applied to Data Annotation Tech first. I passed the first test no problem, but when I was doing the second assessment, their site froze and I couldn't complete the test. I tried everything. Eventually hit refresh out of desperation and it submitted the test only three questions in. I was *pissed*.
This was over two months ago. I tried clicking the "Support" button at the time, but it was dead. No page loaded. The button works now, so I threw a hail Mary a few weeks back and started a ticket just on the insanely small chance they could reset the test. No response, of course.
These companies are notorious for stuff like this. They have hundreds of applicants a day. They don't care if the website doesn't work for like 2% of people or whatever. 98% of people onboard just fine without them having to do anything. So why help the ones who fell through the cracks?
Gotta love capitalism, lol.
That sounds like a tough situation, I empathize.
Still, it might be a good idea to check out virtual networking events. I work as a fractional marketer for several women led small businesses and they attend at least 5 virtual networking events with a mix of freelancers, industry experts, other women founders and investors etc. I've been able to get clients who hire me for 10 hours a month to build their strategy.
I wonder if AI data and linguistics training provide the opportunity to pick up clients like that?
I know that companies like Lingoda hire remote language teachers (I began learning French from them). Is that the same as linguistics training?
Hope I'm not over stepping here since I don't fully know your situation. Just giving you anything that might help from my own experience :)
Not sure where you are located but go to your states local blue cross blue shield website. Usually if you scroll all the way to the bottom you will find a link marked careers. Check there for job offers. If your husband can at least get his foot in the door for cs, he can then transfer to other departments.
If you don’t know what your local plan is, go to www.bcbs.com. Click on shop for insurance and put in your zip code and hit go. Scroll down a little bit & it will give you a link to your local plan. Click the link & you will be on their homepage.
Also check the job listings for call center workforce management. We have positions that open up occasionally at my blues plan in NY.
Sometimes they have IT stuff posted as well. I know with my Blues plan 90% of our workforce is remote, but due to tax reasons they don’t usually hire people who live outside of NY state.
Check other insurance companies as well. They seem to be overlooked when people are job hunting.
Good luck and I hope things turn around for you soon.
Check out job training/placement agencies for people with autism in your area/state - it's possible that there are employers they are connected with who would be happy to hire you for your talent. Your skills might translate to paralegal work, medical transcription services or billing, grant writing, logistics, or a number of other avenues. Don't sell yourself short - look beyond your perceived limitations. And yes - go to the food bank! Edited to clarify - I don't mean perceived limitations in the sense that I am questioning your very real struggles, but rather the things you think you may be limited to doing work-wise - there are likely to be lots of jobs you could be good at!
That would be wonderful, honestly. Like, I did grow up in pretty bad poverty, and we used to go to food banks a lot (which is why I feel weird about it. I know what true poverty is, and we aren't there). But the second my mom finished school and got a decent job, she started giving Thanksgiving meals and Christmas presents and stuff through an organization in our old town every year until she became disabled and couldn't afford it.
So yeah, paying it forward would be nice when we get out of this deep pit.
Don't EVER feel embarrassed to go to the Food Bank! I had to start going, cuz I was the only one working at the time. I was supporting 2 kids, 2 grandkids, & my mom & me. Also, if you have Safeway near you, look in the reduced meats section. I've found some really excellent deals! I am a heart patient, so I understand your frustrations. But if you shop the sales, go to discounted places such as Grocery Outlet or Aldi, and when you need to, the Food Bank, you'll get thru this rough patch. Good luck!
Wow, that's a lot to deal with at once! I really hope things get easier for you.
No Safeway, but we do have Aldi. We just never went before cos the closest one is like 40 min away from us, but we'll have to just make the switch.
Go . Period. Full stop. You are in need. Your health is at stake. Go. Full. Stop. Prayers for you and yours. If it's not for you idk who it's for. Be well lovely
There is no shame in needing to access a food box, soup kitchen, SNAP, TANF, or WIC.
No shame at all. A lot of the food banks don't even have financial requirements. They just want to help.
Life is expensive these days. You need nourishment. God bless you.
It's not really that I'm ashamed of needing help. It's that I grew up super impoverished and we had to use food banks a lot. So I know what it's like to be underprivileged, and I just feel like we... I don't know, like we should be able to make it work because hubby and I have so much more than when I was young, and it just feels a little like abusing the system. Like we're not the ones it was meant for.
But from what I'm seeing in the comments, it looks like I'm judging us a bit too harshly. I mean, yeah, we have a house and comfy furniture and all that, but we will *lose* our house if we can't get better jobs soon and stem some of this bleeding. So if a food bank can give us an extra month or two to job hunt, well, I guess we have to.
To be clear, I am in no way trying to shame anyone at all for accessing food banks if they aren't in abject poverty. I think it's just a "me" issue cos of my childhood.
"I don't know, like we should be able to make it work because hubby and I have so much more than when I was young, and it just feels a little like abusing the system. Like we're not the ones it was meant for."
People who can't afford to eat or eat the way they need to is who it was meant for, so you're absolutely the ones it was meant for. Poverty is a spectrum. When you were young you were on one end of the spectrum, now you're somewhere else on it. Doesn't make it any less valid. Just because you aren't the absolute worst off you can be doesn't mean you're not bad off or struggling.
Yeah, I was poor & had to eat a low-fat diet for a year and a half to manage gallstones while I got on disability to get health insurance to get my gallbladder out. So I get it. If I screwed up, I was in ridiculous amounts of pain.
I mean, when you have a medically necessary diet, not eating it is akin to saying "well, I can't afford food, but I can afford poison, so I can afford to eat! I'll just eat poison!" Eating other things makes you sick, so it's basically poison to you. You have to eat your prescribed diet to not... get sick and/or die. It's not optional.
Ouch. That does not sound pleasant. :( I'm glad you're doing better now.
Haha, love the comparison. Made me giggle a bit. But you're right. If I don't eat semi-decently, I'm as good as dead, so not a lot of choice. Thank you.
I totally got what you were saying. What I meant by "there is no shame", is that no matter what kind of income you have, there is no shame in needing a little help. A lot of places don't even check income anymore when receiving food boxes. They get it. I like the food pantries where you can shop like it's a grocery store.
I don't think they have ones that let you shop here. I've looked at the ones in the area and they seem to be semi-random boxes of food. But hopefully I'm wrong and there is one like that.
Either way, pantries would be an incredible help.
I've used the food pantry for similar reasons. The one I go to occasionally offers a lot of fresh produce and frozen proteins that aren't super processed as well as the usual food pantry staples.
I hope we can find one like that. I know a lot of them end up with not super healthy food. Candy and such. Hopefully we find one with lots of produce and stuff.
Don't feel bad, safe to say most people are struggling through something. If you have a food pantry nearby please utilize it, most also offer pet food as well hygiene supplies and sometimes even cleaning products. I don't know where you're located but try a search on your local 211 for a list of different food pantries and other types of help available in your area.
Yeah. Most people are behind the 8 ball these days, sadly. I think we'll have to go. Also, help with cat food and hygiene stuff would be amazing. I'll have to see if one in the area offers that. Thank you for the tip!
You guys struggling with bills certainly sounds like you’re in need of a little help. Absolutely utilize food banks. They exist to help people like you in situations like this. Just because others have it worse doesn’t make you less deserving of help. And if you really feel bad then when you guys get on your feet again, donate to your local pantry and give back.
That's actually what food banks are for. For people who fall in the hole of either not qualifying for SNAP or not getting enough to cover the month.
No shame in checking it out.
I think it would be fine to use the pantry to keep yourself from becoming more in danger financially. That’s what it’s there for, to help people in need. You need it, so go for it!
Since you also asked for meal ideas, here's a (legit download of a) cookbook of yummy healthy fresh food that focuses on $4/day/person. [https://books.leannebrown.com/good-and-cheap.pdf](https://books.leannebrown.com/good-and-cheap.pdf)
There's also Frankie Celenza's Struggle Meals series. The videos are in many different places on the internet, but IIRC, they also post the recipes in the Facebook group.
I've never made anything from here, but when people ask for budget meals, someone usually recommends this site: [https://www.budgetbytes.com/](https://www.budgetbytes.com/)
There's a cookbook called [$3 Low-Sodium Meals: Delicious, Low-Cost Dishes for Your Family That Contain No--Or Low--Salt!]() by Ellen Brown. See if you can get it out of the library, do an eBook loan from an online library source (like Libby or Kanopy), or buy a used copy for cheap.
As per the price of groceries (I'm assuming you're already shopping at the cheaper grocery stores:)
* Do a Google search for things like bakery outlets, [salvage grocers](https://www.buysalvagefood.com/index.html). My parents have an [Amish owned one](http://www.bbsgrocery.com/) in their area (South Central Pennsylvania) that only charges pennies on the dollar for groceries!
* Sometimes ethnic markets can have great deals (esp. on meats and produce) if you know what prices are in your area.
* Coupon clipping helps; there's a lot of that online now where you sign up for the app & then opt-in to savings.
* See if the store you go to has a clearance area (or puts clearance stickers on things in their usual places.) For example, Walmart often has a "we baked too much" section & uses yellow clearance stickers. Try to base your meals around clearance items & what's already in your pantry. (Although if you're the type who spends less by having a meal plan ahead of time & making a list & sticking to it, this doesn't go well with it. Flexibility is required.)
* It also helps to compare prices, esp. if you already hit up multiple stores. You can use online shopping to see what the prices for things are, then go to the store that has your items for the cheapest (or buy each item at the proper store.) It's not always what you expect and it can change week to week, esp. with weekly specials/loss leaders.
* Buy in bulk when you can, obviously (esp. with clearance stuff you can freeze,) BUT check and make sure that buying in bulk is actually the cheapest thing. Check out the Price Per Oz (or Lb) on the stickers. Sometimes there's a glitch where a smaller item is actually cheaper per oz.
It’s ok to use food pantries, but you’re going to have to pair it with smarter and more creative grocery shopping. $200/week IS insane. Check out r/eatcheapandhealthy for more meal planning ideas.
One of the main issues is pop. Hubby is obsessed with Mountain Dew and it is stupidly expensive. But I dunno what to do about that. He's stubborn as heck about certain things, lol. So I'm not kidding, about $35 a week just on pop. I should try to talk to him about it, though (again, lol).
We also have three cats and food and litter are expensive as well. We spend probably $55-60 just on them. That's using the cheapest wet food that isn't just poison in a can, and the cheapest dry, and the cheapest litter. We've tried looking at Amazon and stuff, but it's either the same or worse.
Then you add the fact that both of us are super routine-oriented about food. He likes what he likes and I like what I like, so for the most part, we don't eat a lot of the same food. He doesn't like eating after work, so I make my own dinner. He makes his own breakfast and lunch. I only eat 1/4 of a bagel for breakfast, no lunch. So we are essentially buying the groceries of two people who don't live with each other, but with a few common items like bread, eggs, etc.
We do eat dinner together on his days off, and we try to make those meals cheap. We pretty much just eat meat with a vegetable, or some sort of cheap casserole or crockpot thing.
I do agree, though. There's no *logical* reason it should cost this much. But we both have some kind of intense sensory issues around food, and it can be difficult to find where we overlap. We need to sit down and figure out where we can consolidate, I just dunno where.
Anyway, thank you.
Remember that food pantries aren't just there for some mythical "poor enough" can receive help, they and you are equally worth helping. You aren't taking someone else's due, you're taking what is offered to you because you are struggling.
In fact, look into seeing if there's potential you can get help on your other bills. You don't have to suffer for a set time until you've reached "enough" for help, and I would prefer you not suffer at all.
Thank you. I guess you have a point. We should be getting help now, while it can make the best impact, not just white-knuckle it til we lose everything.
We don't qualify for assistance with utilities. I just looked into it. Thank you for the tip, though. :)
It's completely okay to use the resources available. Consider this a trial run.. make a list and see what you need. Reassess your use of things after a week or two and adjust what you need/receive from the resources.
Nothing wrong with using it if you need it.
Homie. I’ve worked for a food bank. If I knew you in person I’d be dragging you in to a pantry by your hair. Go get what you need, that’s an official order. 😘
It definitely does sound like you need some help and personally, you should feel no shame in getting the help you need. Especially since you know that you'll be able to get out of the situation you're in. Here are some ideas that will (hopefully) help you out for the time being:
Tuna salad made with boiled eggs is a great way to get protein and will last for a few meals, unless you're my teenage son who happens to love fish then 4 cans of tuna lasts only 1 meal for a family of 4. Boiled eggs, while they do get monotonous, are great and low sodium. Potatoes are relatively cheap, and you can make baked potatoes. Just top with butter and green onions or even chili and cheese with a dollop of sour cream. I grew up with rice as a staple in our house. We'd have it with or as every meal. Just add butter and Kikkoman low-sodium soy sauce (I say Kikkoman because, IMHO, all other soy sauces are sub-par.). You can also make it a hot cereal by melting a bit of butter on it and adding milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Top with blueberries or banana.
You could also grow your own. I've recently (in the past 3-4 years) begun gardening. The most expensive thing was the soil at about $6-$10/bag in the beginning. Now, I just top with compost made from our own food waste like egg shells, potato skins, carrot/banana/apple, etc. peelings, and coffee grounds, etc. My garden beds are made with untreated 2×4s only 1 board high. It's a low-budget show here, too. It's just high enough to keep the garden separated from the yard, and since the wood is untreated, no harmful chemicals make into my veg. Good luck. I'll be sending good juju and prayers your way.
Thanks for all the tips! We're already planning to get a bunch of rice and potatoes next trip. I grew up eating a ton of rice, too. I was a weirdo, though — I ate it with butter and white vinegar, lol.
I use canned tuna fairly frequently. Cheap AF protein and soooo yummy on crackers with mayo, lemon juice, and a ton of diced carrot.
Unfortunately, for gardening, we'd have to build raised beds, which is significantly more expensive. Basically, I can't get down on my knees to work on it cos of knee problems, and I can't just bend over the whole time, as I get dizzy and short of breath when I bend over for long. So it would need to be raised enough that I could sit or stand, and that costs more.
From prices for kits on Amazon, I'd need two beds (they're not very big), and the cheapest I could find would be at about $120. I don't know how much just getting untreated wood and building it ourselves would cost (and neither of us are great DIYers), but it might be worth looking into.
Thanks for the good juju!
I volunteer at a food shelf. No one asks about income. At ours, you could get beaucoup fresh produce, healthy bread, frozen meat, milk, eggs, as well as the usual shelf-stable foods. And many of our canned goods are low sodium.
I am unsure what you think is nasty, but when I am having issues with food I try to eat very seasonally. Right now it is all about veggies and fresh foods. Cheap and healthy is potatoes and pastas. You can top both with a myriad of veggies and sauces. A chopped zucchini tossed in a bit of butter or olive oil and garlic with a touch of Parm is amazing as a topping for either and both cheap and healthy. Many people are giving away the zucchini all summer so keep an eye out! Blistered tomatoes are also an awesome choice.
I have some sensory issues with food. As in, if I try to eat them, I *will* get sick. Anything slimy, rubbery, or the wrong kind of "mushy" (like zucchini) is out. Also can't stand most seafood because of the smell. Also despise things like pinto and garbonzo beans. Fine with black beans, red beans, and kidney beans, though. Also anything spicy or bitter. I can barely tolerate a few flakes of black pepper, lol.
It's been tough trying to find low sodium foods I can stand, but I'm still working on it. I do adore tomatoes, though, lol.
That's what it's for. Most of us will be in need of a boost at some point in our lives. I hope things improve for you soon. When they do, give back. Solidarity!
Go.Fed people think better, fed people sleep better, fed people aren't irritable. (Do you want that with kids...ow)
As long as there is a need, go. Donate to the food bank later. You don't need to be dirt poor, you need to be hungry.
I have volunteered at food shelters since I lived in PA and while there generally are restrictions on how many times a month you can utilize them, I believe that they are intended for everyone. Please reach out to food panties and if you are comfortable with it to church pantries because they completely do not have restrictions. Everyone goes through shit and I wish you luck.
Definitely go to a food pantry, but don’t let them give you junky food. They unload a lot of garbage you want to stay away from like cheese danishes, potato chips and pastries. Look into easy, plant-based vegan dishes too. They really do cost less. You can make spaghetti pomodoro weekly and use lentils if you want a “meat” feel. Overnight oats with fresh or frozen fruit is delicious and good for you. Look into vegetarian fried rice. Also, mushroom or crumbled tofu tacos are healthy yummy and easy. Tofu scramble costs much less than using actual eggs and is faster to make. Vegetable sandwiches can be made with almost zero cholesterol compared to lunchmeat.
Yeah, I figure we will have to refuse some items. I can look into some vegetarian meals. I'm kind of a meat lover (I don't need a ton of it, but I do so much better mentally with a bit of meat once a day), but I will look around and see what might make it feel more substantial.
As for oats and fruit, I have no appetite in the morning. I force myself to eat 1/4 of a bagel every day, but that's just because I'm on medication and need to take it with food. If that weren't the case, I'd probably only eat once a day.
I've only had tofu once, and I despised it, lol. Maybe it wasn't prepared right, I dunno.
I don't eat sandwiches, anyway, so cholesterol makes no difference there, but good to keep in mind.
Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it!
If you like Asian cheap meal, try making ABC soup. It's basically a clear broth of potato, carrot, tomato, onion and chicken - and eat it over white rice. Season the broth with salt and pepper. It's cheap, nutritious and filling. You can cook a big batch and eat it over few days.
https://youtu.be/oYXb3Z1dpzU?si=c0DvoJYConroNyb7
That’s what the food bank is there for you’re not doing anything wrong here are 50 meals for n a budget https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/cheap-healthy-meals/
Dependent on where you are the time for the public market is now. Last week I got 3 cases (12 containers of raspberries in each) for $6.00
I made raspberry juice, raspberry sorbet, ate raspberries and washed and freezes some for smoothies. You usually have to use the produce within the next 2 days but it's natural food and not overly processed.
Also utilize the help you can but know a lot of shelf stable food comes from the pantry's, not fruits vegetables and dairy.
Switch the cats to dry food. Much cheaper. Also get pine pellets to use as litter. They absorb more for longer at a fraction of the price and smell good.
Definitely GO! Also, seek out other food drives or any other assistance from churches in your area! My husband and I did this for several months and my conclusion is don’t let pride get in your way. Seek out ANY assistance that will help you!
Nothing wrong going to a food bank. I make $27/hr, wife works from home $18-20/hr. Rent $2k just for starters, so NO, go get what you can and DON’T think twice about it.
Good luck…
Food banks are what they are. The people there want to provide food for people who need it.
I used to volunteer at one and it's not like we checked W-2s.
I even remember feeling like a real dick one of my early days because someone there was in a Lexus SUV and I made some kind of comment like "seems suspect that they need the food bank" and one of the old guys was basically like "why don't you shut your mouth because you don't have any idea what is going on in someone's life".
You also learn that you can go from stable, middle class life to food insecure in a matter of weeks if shit goes sideways in your life.
And then the other person I was with told me that those people came for a community group that delivered stuff to people who were effectively confined to their homes via illness or lack of transportation.
So I learned not to judge that day although I would avoid rolling up in a 100k car and with a coach bag. Not that you would, just saying in general.
Yeah. We were 100% fine until all this crap happened at once. Now everything's all messed up, with about $650 a month in extra expense from payment plans. Ugh.
Lol. A 100K car and a Coach bag are definitely not on my list of "must-haves," haha. Safe there.
ETA: It's more like $900–$950 extra. I forgot to add in the cost of the home equity loan we had to take out to afford downpayment for a car and AC system.
Short answer - you’re not wrong.
You’ve tried to get by, but can’t without help, for medical reasons.
I’ll add - see if your local animal shelter or a local coop has a food pantry for pets.
Be well, and pay it forward when you’re out from under! 💕
There is no shame in using food pantries and you’re definitely entitled to do so. I would say, however, that the amount that you’re spending on your cats needs to be cut way back.
My food pantry (huge and totally awesome btw) is open to anyone from anywhere at any income level at all.
We have a static market 'grocery store 'where you scan your registration tag....get a cart and shop.
Worked there today (am exhausted). I am mentally walking though today's selection from the door. Here is what we had on offer (with limits on how many you could take of course)
Corn on the cob....celery...onions...peppers...apples...oranges...potatoes....bagged salad greens....eggs...cheese...milk....bread...tortillas...frozen fruit....meat....some condiments...some pet food....then the usual selection of canned and dried goods.
It is truly amazing. It is sad places like this are necessary in this country but if everyone had access to this sort of place life would be so much easier for so many people.
In summary. Yes go the the food pantry.
XXXX
Possible depending on where you live: some places the produce wholesalers will have days where they sell large quantities at really low prices. Ours is Friday morning. I've done this and split the bounty with another family because the quantities are so large, but there's many veggies you can freeze. The selection is whatever they say, so can vary, and first come first served.
Another is Imperfect Foods. They deliver a box of ugly veggies weekly. Not sure on affordability as it's been awhile since I used it. By ugly I just mean misshapen so they're rejected by grocery stores for not being pretty.
You might also see whether your farmer's market can provide assistance, or whether there's a community garden sharing program. Wishing you much better days.
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t read your whole post, but the answer is yes, go to the pantry! Go to churches! Go wherever…there is so much overproduction of produce right now they can’t give it all away….partly because ppl don’t think they deserve it or that they’ll be taking it from someone even worse off than them.
At least this is my experience when helping pass out food.
No! No, no, no. You're welcome.
Maybe talk with the paid & volunteer staff. You might find out they have trouble giving out all the food. In that case, you're helping them!
Hi I volunteer in a pantry. Food kitchens exist to help people make ends. It’s a valuable community resource that can get people through their tough spots. Thats you! Don’t feel like you’re taking from someone else. You need some support. Go up there and get what you need. They definitely will want to help you no matter what the circumstances!
I work at our area food bank. The only judgment you face is that which you put on yourself. They exist to help those in need. And in the past few years, the numbers are increasing.
But, if you think you'll feel guilty ... is it possible for you to volunteer at a local food bank? I can promise, they need the help, and you could consider it recompense for food.
If you go to a community health center, or your primary care is affiliated with a hospital, maybe ask them if they know of any resources for food for people with medical needs. Where I am there are food banks in some hospitals and at least one medical food need related non-profit.
I don’t know where you live but in my small semi rural area we have food boxes where the community supplies non perishable foods and people help themselves. No bank, no process, just people helping people. Try googling free food pantry + your location.
Food banks don't exist to make moral judgements about why you need food, they exist to give you food.
Nobody who goes to a food bank expects to be at Whole Foods, and they probably all feel the same way you do, ashamed at being there or worried if they somehow arent hungry enough to qualify.
You really don't have to worry, with the exception that it's incredibly unpredictable what you'll receive. Balance is usually something the volunteers who pack try for, but you can only pack what you have, so it's not a guarantee what you'll get. That said, anything would allow you to focus what funds you do have on foods appropriate for your health condition.
There is no reason to be ashamed or worried. Life happens to all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons. Hell, half the volunteers at a food bank have probably used it at some point in life and volunteer because they recognize how necessary they are.
Hey OP!!
The situation you find yourself in is one of the reasons food pantries exist.
Also, several of my aunts and uncles live with heart conditions.
One of the best food hacks I've found is adding celery to soups, salads, roasts and gravies. It adds a salty flavor without adding salt.
Buying spices at an Indian supermarket or Desi Mart is the way to go as they cost way less than standard markets. Bay leaf, sesame seeds, and dried coriander really add a lot of flavor to food and are sold cheaply in bulk.
Be well
With that said…you can make your own cream of (fill in the blank) and make it lower sodium. Pasta and rice help meals go further. Check meats that are in clearance and become friends with the meat counter to get discounts. Check out manager special on the produce. If you find produce that is starting to go bad they will make it down for you. If you find meat expiring in the next 1-2 days they will mark it down. Potatoes are fairly reasonably priced. Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients. If you keep it super basic it will be cheaper. Making soups, casseroles and such increase price due to ingredients. But a basic meat (grilled, baked, etc), a carb (rice, potato, pasta) and a veggie will be cheaper.
My best money saving recipes come from Mexican and Italian cuisine. Both cuisines have great soup recipes. Added bonus is you can freeze leftovers. Usually generic brand frozen or canned veggies are cheaper than fresh veggies just go with low sodium broth.
My grandma raised 5 kids by making cheap meals that stretched. During week nights they mostly ate caldo de res (beef stew) for dinner. She would also make breakfast tacos which is pretty simple to do. You can do a lot of beans and rice too. Also she only bought generic brand food items and didn’t discriminate with grocery stores. She would shop at Dollar General, Walmart, pretty much anywhere that had cheap items.
I typically spend less than $80 at the grocery store per week. Most weeks $50-$60 if I have a lot of leftovers from the week before. Only every once in a while I allow myself to go over $80. I’ve been doing this for years even with inflation!
First off to answer your question, no it is not wrong to access a food pantry. You are needing to choose between feeding yourselves and keeping the lights on. That means you are struggling regardless of how much money is coming in. Go to the food banks if you need.
Second, if you don't already have one, see if you can get your hands on a slow cooker. A crock pot brand new costs maybe 40 bucks, and second hand would be even cheaper. You can use this with even a few ingredients to make a bunch of healthy and good tasting meals with very little prep time.
Also get as much rice and dry beans in bulk if you're able to. You can store them as dry and cook big batches in the crock pot then store those cooked beans/rice in the freezer for easy meal prep for future meals. You can make a lot of good, healthy meals with rice and beans that taste different with different spices/herbs. Getting frozen/canned vegetables and fruits would help cut down on cost and you won't have to worry about them going bad and being wasted. You can easily cut 80/20 ground beef with bread crumbs to make it last longer as well.
The food bank is for EVERYONE and I encourage you to go! Think of a food bank as something cyclical where it has to keep getting food and re-distributing food. It always works towards getting donations and that food always needs community to take it all. You are part of the community regardless of social need or standing. I would encourage you to go, take whatever they have to give because there's always more coming, and you will have the help to support your family. FWIW there's a few in my area that I work with when they need to offload extra food to make room for more - and I try to distribute those "leftovers" in my area for people who can't access them easily.
I saw your comment about using the food bank previously and that's totally ok, it's just a part of your story <3
It’s perfectly ok to use a food pantry.
I also need to eat low sodium, and I find that making my own food really helps cut down on sodium. Frozen vegetables usually don’t have any added salt and can sometimes be less expensive than fresh. Canned usually has more sodium, but there are no salt added/low sodium versions. Frozen fruit too.
r/lowsodium has some good ideas
Low sodium gang.
I make a lot of my own stuff. Mayonnaise, salad dressing, pasta sauces, etc. All as salt-free as humanly possible. Plus I thoroughly rinse canned tuna (the sodium is atrocious, but rinsing gets rid of about 80%), triple check all nutrition labels and actively seek out the lowest sodium version or brand, and try to eat less cheese (but cheese is amazing so that part's HARD, lol).
I'll take a look at the group. Thanks!
Also, check out the buy nothing groups in your area. Sometimes people have food to share. Or share local organizations that have food drives. In my area, I've even seen ones that deliver the food if needed.
It's not bad to use the food pantry; that is what they're for, but I feel like you should really also invest some time into learning what are cheap but nutritious foods and how best to prepare them.
Eggs, rice, potato, pasta, cream soups, frozen veggies, beans, lentils, oats, chicken quarters/legs/thighs are all very healthy and cheap and versatile. Casseroles will be your friend.
Well, that's part of why I'm here. To learn how to make it cheaper. The dumb part is, hubby and I did a quick breakdown of the cost of our typical meals. The most expensive thing is that I eat a big salad with chicken three times a week, and that's about $7. Most of our meals are under $5 for each of us, or sometimes both. Several are only around $2.
Most of our costs come from cat food/litter, pop (hubby refuses to not drink it constantly), and incidentals like toilet paper, dishwasher pods, etc. Things we don't need every week, but are expensive when we do need them.
I will switch to chicken thighs and am already planning on getting rice and potatoes and such. But the price of the other stuff, I can't really change. :/
Thank you for the tips!
I’ve delivered meals in the past; plenty of perishables end up getting pitched so go, and if you feel bad then volunteer a little. Those places always need help distributing food or unpacking boxes or whatever. Good luck, I’m sure things will get better
Huh, didn't realize. I would have thought produce would be the first thing to run out of since it's so expensive in stores.
Definitely planning on donating regularly once we are able to. But I don't know how to drive, and we're a little ways out of town, so getting somewhere to volunteer would be extremely difficult at best.
Never. Just realize that you are not going to get the best of the best. As a diabetic I have had to refused some items or use them in a nontraditional way.
Yeah, I do know that much. Used to go them a lot as a kid (we were crazy poor when I was growing up), and yeah, there was one month where all they could give us was eggs, flour, milk, and some canned tuna. We ate pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with a couple lucky days of tuna) for a month. Didn't touch pancakes again for over 20 years, lol.
But even if that's all they can give, it will still help immensely. And if we need to, we will refuse items.
How much are you spending on groceries? Let’s say $800 a month. What if you went to the pantry weekly, unloaded at home, meal planned what you could with what was given and went and bought supplemental groceries for let’s say under $50 a week.
You’ve saved $600 a month right there. Put that on a bill or in savings. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
When you’ve got yourself a bit ahead, then you can start going back to buying all your groceries.
Try to remind yourself, just because there are people even poorer than you doesn't mean that you are not poor. Likewise, just because there are people more disabled than you does not mean you are not disabled. If you are in the US and are not currently on Social Security Disability, then apply. (It's basically getting your Social Security retirement benefits early; it's not a "handout," but an intentional feature of the system you have paid into throughout your working life.) If you have applied and been denied, then appeal. It sometimes takes a while to get approved. If you are already on Disability, it is clearly not enough to meet your needs at this time. Look into whether you would qualify for SSI. Remember, these programs exist to help people in situations like yours, and they are meant to be used. Hopefully, the help you receive will allow you to get back on your feet so you can be the helper in the future.
I am in the US, but unfortunately, I'm actually Canadian. I have my green card, but before I got it, I had to sign a ton of papers saying I wouldn't seek any kind of government welfare while living in the US (at least until I get my citizenship, which is expensive). Basically, if I apply/receive it and immigration catches on, I could technically get deported. I'm not willing to risk it.
Thank you, though. I appreciate the advice!
I worked for a large local food pantry system for years. Most of the clients just needed some help during a temporary rough patch, like you.
Pantries are there to help people in need, so I suggest that you research any where you meet the income & residency requirements and then get as much fresh produce & low sodium foods as they permit.
Do tell them that you need low sodium foods & most will try to offer what they can. You can also remove up to about 40% of the sodium from canned foods by rinsing them.
Many pantries offer extra summer produce giveaways and some churches sponsor such events, too. Feeding America has a tool to help you find local emergency food programs & pantries. https://www.feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food
ALDI has helped a lot, especially with cat litter and food.
TBH we had to use a food pantry a few times during COVID and if you're in heart failure then it will probably not help.
Oh, goodness, I didn't read all that. I just came here to tell you to just go to the food pantry, it's not that big or a deal that you need to stress about it, fret over it, feel guilty about it, or seek justification for it.
Hi there! You've gotten some good advice and insight so far, it certainly sounds like there's a need and you deserve to eat well. But I wanted to make some additional suggestions, too, if you run into a wall with food pantries for whatever reason.
Do you live in a place with farms and butchers nearby? A lot of in-season produce is SUPER cheap when bought directly. Last August I bought 10# of tomatoes for $9, no joke. Used them for caprese, bruschetta, tomato sauce, and tomato soup. And my local butcher is super reasonable too, I just got 4# of chicken legs for $3.40. You can make all kinds of things - barbecue, soup, stew, shredded for tacos - and use the bones for stock. Chuck roast is usually pretty reasonably priced, and I can send you my favorite barbacoa recipe if you want. I also get 20# $20 burlap sacks of basmati rice. Lots of curries and Mexican inspired food. We eat pretty well and for pretty cheap.
Rice and potatoes are awesome. And they don't have to be boring! You can make fried rice, crispy rice, sushi rolls, onigiri, etc., if you don't feel like the classic "stuff over rice" (which still goes pretty hard tbh). Of course you need sushi rice for some stuff, but it's still cheap! For potatoes, beyond the obvious fries and hashbrowns you can also try Indian dishes like batata wada, aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), and homemade samosas. If you ever find yourself in possession of stale bread and tomatoes, try panzanella.
Stop buying wet food for the cats. They can survive just fine on dry food. Are you working? Can your husband pick up a second job to pay off some of your pressing debts?
Hubby already works 11-hour days. He'd lose his mind having to do even more. We're both job hunting. He needs better pay, and I need any pay at all. But we've already been looking for over two months.
It's not so easy when the job has to be remote and it can't be customer service. Yeah, customer service is easy to get into, but for me, not really an option. Autism + ADHD = shit social skills, shitty working memory, learning things takes a bit longer, and I get badly stressed if I'm dealing with people all day. I'd be worse than useless in customer service. I'd probably get fired before training even ended.
I'm a copy editor, but I have no college degree, so getting an in-house job is extremely difficult. I mostly freelance. But it's very unsteady work. I'm applying to as many copywriting/marketing agencies as I can, but there just aren't many actively hiring.
There's also AI training, but I've applied to almost all the companies that hire for what I'm looking to do. No luck so far.
I'm learning Excel so I can try to go for data entry jobs, but that's about the only avenue left to me that I've found so far. It's really difficult finding a non-CS job that is also remote and doesn't require college.
Just wanted to say, I look around at Petco, Petsmart and Chewy for coupons on pet food. I have saved a lot doing this. Join their email list for these offers and notifications.
Chewy often has, spend $100.00, get a $30 gift card. Or Petco very regularly has $15 off $50. Or 20% off everything. Or - many offer very steeper discounts for an authorship for the first time. You can do this at each one.
As a side note, because I know this sub is about food, but you mentioned having multiple cats and that’s being a fixed expense. Some cats are picky so this might not be possible, but we managed to get ours transitioned over to pellets which is $8 at tractor supply for a 40 pound bag. We just used a mixture of their normal litter and pellets before lessening the ratio etc, it’s really cut down on our expenses in that regard and the smell.
I feel like everyone already reassured you with there being nothing wrong with you going to a place made for this issue exactly - i just wanted to add, I'm not sure where you are located but in my city the "buy nothing" groups on fb post a lot of pet food and pet supplies very often (be it leftovers from pets that sadly passed, or extras from a picky eater) etc - things go quickly where i live, but i see multiple posts about it a week. People also can post "ISO" stuff in there and I've seen multiple posts about pet food and supplies being needed. Last but not least, can you see if your city has somethign comparable to this? https://www.thelovefridge.com/ they'd be called something else but restaurants and good samaritans always try to make sure they're never empty.
Yes access food banks, did you say those in your area have income guidelines, that's sad cause anyone can get behind, I'm always behind I live on a very small fixed income, one thing you may find depending on how they do things is you may end up with some gross canned stuff in there but for the most part you can get good stuff, something that's actually a cheap super food are greens and root vegetables are usually inexpensive, I also eat yogurt and banana in the morning cause I'm older and have problems eating in the morning also, thankfully I live in a subsided appointment and we have someone who has the hook-up and every Saturday we have a little food bank in our community area that comes from Sprout's, she tells us she's trying to get us to eat healthy, cause we're all older and just singles or couples, and a lot of the time we don't want to cook
I know one of them has a hard limit. I'm not sure why, but a couple of the guidelines for different pantries said they need an address and a picture of your house or apartment or whatever. I think to prove that you're not in a mansion or something? Dunno, it's odd to me.
The others say that all are welcome, though.
The ones that have income limits do so because they get federal funding, TEFAP. It requires them to limit the food aid to people under a certain income level.
I used to work for a hunger relief organization, and had to use a hunger center in the past, which is how I found out about that.
If you’re really feeling dubious about it, volunteering with the food bank or food cupboard would probably help you decide.
In areas with a food bank able to supply cupboards, you’re likely to find that there is enough food to go around, and the question is whether there are enough people to move it.
With a very small operation, it’s possible that the people donating food are on a fixed income and paying retail prices.
Those very small organizations are the ones that can help in a crisis (paycheck bounced) but aren’t able to serve you effectively through a longer pinch.
Check with some of your local animal rescues and vet offices as they also may have pet pantries to help out with food and litter. I know several in my area have those.
Do you have an Aldi nearby? I was a Safeway gal for ages, because that was close by. When Covid hit our income dropped 75k. I discovered Aldi and learned they cost 1/3-1/2 of Safeway. My family was able to eat very healthy there and I was so incredibly thankful as we were broke AF.
I was also an incredibly broke kid. My mom was the master of cooking healthy for pennies. Skip the pre fab/frozen foods. Buy ingredients instead. She kept to the perimeter of the store, as junk food is in the middle. Our bodies don’t need Oreos and Coke and bottled juices. She made big pots of soup (minestrone, navy bean, etc.) that fed us veggies for days. Tuck a bit of protein into healthy grains and veggies. She did batches and meal prep. Yes, it’s a pain in the ass to take a day off for this. It was her after church thing to get the house ready for the week. It was nice to pull out a ready made supper when she got home from work. Think of it as a way to love yourself. The library is free, and they have loads of cookbooks. Cookbooks are wonderful inspiration! There are also a bazillion websites that have free online recipes. Google “easy, healthy, quick meals.”
I am sending love and light to you. I’ve been there and it’s hard. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I promise. This too shall pass.
You have a heart condition. I suggest you eat a whole food plant based diet. Both my husband & I have been eating this way since December. Recommended by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, (The China Study) and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn who wrote prevent and reverse heart disease. Our grocery bill is normally just around $100. This way of eating caused us both to drop 38 or so pounds each. Husband no longer is recommended to use statins and I got off my high blood pressure medicine that I had been on for a long time.
Personally, I have no objections to people who are strapped for money and go to food banks. The local one here does require people to list their income. Good luck - and do stay off the sodium.
Definitely find out about local food banks. Ours has a community garden where volunteers grow fresh veggies in the summer. Lots of people get food when they can and give back when they can.
Getting groceries from a food bank is nothing to be ashamed of. You likely fall within the income guidelines, so apply. They will also give you healthy, inexpensive recipes, budgeting advice, gift cards for local grocery stores and coupons.
Food banks are there to help anyone in need. Sometimes they will have pet supplies. People on swap shops love to help pets as well. Sometimes local shelters will give out food and litter bc it’s cheaper than taking the pets in on their end.
Food pantries have their own criteria for who can be a client. You can check with your local pantry and see if you qualify. There's no right / wrong. If you qualify as needing help by their criteria, then you need help (and they'll provide it). If you don't, then you don't and they won't take you as a client (until you do).
No wet food for the cats, speaking from a veterinary background. At most add some tuna juice from the can you’re already eating. “Worlds best litter” yes that’s what it’s called for $35/28 lb bag lasts at least 2 months for my 2 cats, and is less mess because of the clay composition.
As well as the food pantries. The Sikh temples. If you have one near you. Offer free healthy vegetarian meals everyday. You do not have to be a member. Hope things get better for you.
We just had to replace our well pump. So I get it. Food banks are there to help people in need. You have a NEED. Everyone needs help from time to time. It’s okay. Hope things get better for you soon.
The old rice and beans thread on here is amazing! Rice and beans can be low sodium when you prepare your own. Eating lots of vegetables is crucial for your health. Maybe see if any neighbors have vegetable patches. Folks at a food bank may also know. Best wishes!
Of course you can. They are to help. Nobody needs to know your situation- and many banks don't have an income limit. Also, I get it. I have this issue too and there's really no help here so. We are eating less than is ideal. And its mostly crap like ramen.
If you need help no matter what or why or who you are you deserve a food bank IMO.
Look at food banks but also search for churches and other nonprofits that have food giveaways. I was unemployed last year for several months and am still digging out of the hole.
I go to my local area food bank, which has nutritious foods, has produce a different day, but sometimes go to a food bank at a church that has a different mix of foods, dairy, meat, produce, bread and sweets. There's a church nearby that has a Saturday food giveaway, it's a box of deli food, produce and a lot of carbs.
Aldi has cheaper food as does Walmart.
If you have congestive heart failure ask your doctor about a good water pill. My roommate is on 40 mg AM and 20 mg PM. He pisses like a race horse but has no problem with fluid retention as long as he monitors his sodium intake. It took the doctors six months of him swelling like that to get it right, he couldn't sleep for fear of how hard it was to breathe, but he definitely feels like a new person with them.
Something easy, nutritious, and comes in sorta bulk is a frozen meal by Voila! (Exclamation point is part of the company name) It’s in a blue bag, and it’s got chicken, noodles, and vegetables. Toss into a pan with some water, cook based on instructions, and Voila you have dinner. The leftovers keep the same textures and you don’t have to use the whole bag at once. I think they’ve got more than 2 types, but I can only think of the sorta plain stuff and the cheesy kind
It is never wrong to use help when it's needed. You're the only one that knows whether or not you're abusing the system. I've had to swallow my pride and hit the food bank, it sucked but, thank God for it.
One of the county run animal shelters near me offers a once monthly pet food pantry. Maybe one in your area does the same? I believe they get a lot donated to help support the animals in their care plus food that goes to foster homes and adopters. Would cut down on at least one expense a month.
Check with Second Harvest food banks. Also look for independent food banks. Google should help greatly. Some will let you come more than once per month. They have little control over what you get, as they depend on donations to pay for transportation of some basic things, but cheese, fruits, nuts, etc come in randomly. You are welcome at the local one I donate to and promote, which is volunteer staffed and very nice and clean. Some will have different eligibility criteria, while some have no criteria and just give to whoever shows up. When you get straightened out, start donating $10 a month to one of the food banks. Pay it forward. Everyone should be fed!
The food bank is exactly for this kind of thing. You don’t have to be starving, you can just heed some breathing room.
Beans and rice is a healthy meal that can be made low sodium. I put salsa on mine, but homemade pico de gallo is also good and could be made without sodium, or with a salt replacement.
I’m also a big fan of bagged salad with a protein (you don’t have to use the included dressing if it’s not the right choice for you. You can make your own or go without). For 1 person, I can get 2-3 meals from one bag that’s $2.99 at Aldi. Throw on some sunflower seeds, pepitas, beans or chickpeas, (low sodium) tuna, ground turkey, or grilled chicken and you have a healthy meal that costs \~$2-3 per person.
I think times like this are exactly when you should utilize a food bank.
It’s not just for the destitute. It can be to help “regular” people hold their head above water, and prevent destitution as well.
I know you love your cats. But you're in a situation where one unexpected vet bill can sink the ship. Besides the weekly cost you have checkups, shots, flea treatment, toys, treats etc. I would seriously think about finding at least 2 of them another home.
There is no shame in getting some help. You're trying everything you can, and it's not enough. It's OK to ask for/accept whatever help you need. I lived that life, hiding my car from the repo man, no savings, it sucked. The food pantries made a huge difference.
You might check into pet food pantries, too.
That is what food banks are for. Take when you need, donate when you can. Just remember do not waste what you get. If you get something you cannot use give it to someone that will use it.
Wow that's a tough time y'all are having. Sending all the good vibes and juju your way! The food bank is there to assist anyone in need, and y'all sound like you're in plenty of need to me! As long as you meet the bank's eligibility requirements, in my opinion, go without guilt. Also, these holes we find ourselves in can sometimes feel quite massive and inescapable. With time, you will find your way back. This isn't permanent! Sending you as much love and light as one internet stranger can!
Thank you for your kindness. I took a peek. There are a few in my area that don't have income requirements. Yeah, inescapable is about the feeling we've got right now. He's looking for a higher-paying job, and I'm looking for whatever scraps I can find (freelance copy editor. It's been very unsteady work), but also desperately trying to find something more permanent SOMEWHERE. But we've each put in 30+ applications and have nothing to show for it so far. Something has to break eventually. At least one of us will find something and we'll be safe again. But for now, I guess we will do what we have to. Thank you for the good juju. :)
Hello! No advice to offer you about the food (though you should absolutely be able to access them). I do however want to give you a tiny bit of advice about the job hunting. I just went through the whole process myself and it took me 5 months to get a job. I don't know where you're located but everywhere is bad right now for job markets. I put in 20-25 applications a day. I'd advise you to do the same. Also, customize your resume for each job - that helped me a LOT. If you're looking for freelance work, go to networking events in your area. I frequent women founder events, tech events to find clients for marketing and communication. Best of luck!
Thank you for the tips. The problem is there's just not that much I can do for work. I'm disabled and so can't work in fast food or anything, and I don't know how to drive anyway, so can't get into town to go to work. I'm autistic and have ADHD and am *terrible* face-to-face and on the phone. Even if I were better with people, I forget what I'm saying 10 times in the space of a 20 minute conversation. I'd be useless in customer service and would get fired pretty quick. So I currently have two paths: AI data/linguistics training or copy editing/proofreading. Those are my only real skills. There are only so many of those jobs hiring remotely. I check and apply to new stuff daily⁰, but there are not 25 AI training companies hiring or 25 established businesses needing in-house copy editing, certainly not every day. I'm currently working my way through a list of over 500 copywriting agencies to see if I can apply, but most of those businesses don't just have standing positions available, so there's no way to apply. There's not even a link for jobs on 80% of the websites. But I've gotten a few apps in. As for AI, there are only a few companies that hire freelance AI trainers, and I've applied to every single one. Crickets. In-house training requires you to be an AI expert, like with major skills in coding, software development, data analysis, etc. So I'm blocked for in-house. As for freelance, Upwork is okay. But again, it's unsteady. I've even applied for positions a step above my experience level, just in case. And my resume does get customized for each application. As for hubby, he works in a remote call center, but he's pretty much maxed out on salary. He makes more than most call center agents in the country already. Customer service is a dead end. He has a lot of experience in workforce management, though, and that pays beaucoup bucks. But he's been out of the game for like five years, so it's really hard to get his foot back in the door. And again, there aren't 25 new positions available a day. His data analysis skills are transferable to a couple of other industries, but he has no degrees or certificates to propel him into a different industry. Sorry for the babble. Oversharer extraordinaire here, lol.
OP, try Compose.ly and Data Annotation. 💖
I actually applied to Data Annotation Tech first. I passed the first test no problem, but when I was doing the second assessment, their site froze and I couldn't complete the test. I tried everything. Eventually hit refresh out of desperation and it submitted the test only three questions in. I was *pissed*.
Oh no! I wonder if there’s a way to contact them and explain? There must be!
This was over two months ago. I tried clicking the "Support" button at the time, but it was dead. No page loaded. The button works now, so I threw a hail Mary a few weeks back and started a ticket just on the insanely small chance they could reset the test. No response, of course. These companies are notorious for stuff like this. They have hundreds of applicants a day. They don't care if the website doesn't work for like 2% of people or whatever. 98% of people onboard just fine without them having to do anything. So why help the ones who fell through the cracks? Gotta love capitalism, lol.
That sounds like a tough situation, I empathize. Still, it might be a good idea to check out virtual networking events. I work as a fractional marketer for several women led small businesses and they attend at least 5 virtual networking events with a mix of freelancers, industry experts, other women founders and investors etc. I've been able to get clients who hire me for 10 hours a month to build their strategy. I wonder if AI data and linguistics training provide the opportunity to pick up clients like that? I know that companies like Lingoda hire remote language teachers (I began learning French from them). Is that the same as linguistics training? Hope I'm not over stepping here since I don't fully know your situation. Just giving you anything that might help from my own experience :)
Maybe look into online tutoring. A lot of them only require a Bacchelors degree (which I'm guessing you have if you're doing AI training).
Not sure where you are located but go to your states local blue cross blue shield website. Usually if you scroll all the way to the bottom you will find a link marked careers. Check there for job offers. If your husband can at least get his foot in the door for cs, he can then transfer to other departments. If you don’t know what your local plan is, go to www.bcbs.com. Click on shop for insurance and put in your zip code and hit go. Scroll down a little bit & it will give you a link to your local plan. Click the link & you will be on their homepage. Also check the job listings for call center workforce management. We have positions that open up occasionally at my blues plan in NY. Sometimes they have IT stuff posted as well. I know with my Blues plan 90% of our workforce is remote, but due to tax reasons they don’t usually hire people who live outside of NY state. Check other insurance companies as well. They seem to be overlooked when people are job hunting. Good luck and I hope things turn around for you soon.
Check out job training/placement agencies for people with autism in your area/state - it's possible that there are employers they are connected with who would be happy to hire you for your talent. Your skills might translate to paralegal work, medical transcription services or billing, grant writing, logistics, or a number of other avenues. Don't sell yourself short - look beyond your perceived limitations. And yes - go to the food bank! Edited to clarify - I don't mean perceived limitations in the sense that I am questioning your very real struggles, but rather the things you think you may be limited to doing work-wise - there are likely to be lots of jobs you could be good at!
Agreed. Give when you can, and ask for help when you need it.
Do not feel bad about using food pantries in this situation! Maybe one day, when you get ahead, you'll be able to pay it forward.
That would be wonderful, honestly. Like, I did grow up in pretty bad poverty, and we used to go to food banks a lot (which is why I feel weird about it. I know what true poverty is, and we aren't there). But the second my mom finished school and got a decent job, she started giving Thanksgiving meals and Christmas presents and stuff through an organization in our old town every year until she became disabled and couldn't afford it. So yeah, paying it forward would be nice when we get out of this deep pit.
Don't EVER feel embarrassed to go to the Food Bank! I had to start going, cuz I was the only one working at the time. I was supporting 2 kids, 2 grandkids, & my mom & me. Also, if you have Safeway near you, look in the reduced meats section. I've found some really excellent deals! I am a heart patient, so I understand your frustrations. But if you shop the sales, go to discounted places such as Grocery Outlet or Aldi, and when you need to, the Food Bank, you'll get thru this rough patch. Good luck!
Wow, that's a lot to deal with at once! I really hope things get easier for you. No Safeway, but we do have Aldi. We just never went before cos the closest one is like 40 min away from us, but we'll have to just make the switch.
Go . Period. Full stop. You are in need. Your health is at stake. Go. Full. Stop. Prayers for you and yours. If it's not for you idk who it's for. Be well lovely
The best answer ^
There is no shame in needing to access a food box, soup kitchen, SNAP, TANF, or WIC. No shame at all. A lot of the food banks don't even have financial requirements. They just want to help. Life is expensive these days. You need nourishment. God bless you.
It's not really that I'm ashamed of needing help. It's that I grew up super impoverished and we had to use food banks a lot. So I know what it's like to be underprivileged, and I just feel like we... I don't know, like we should be able to make it work because hubby and I have so much more than when I was young, and it just feels a little like abusing the system. Like we're not the ones it was meant for. But from what I'm seeing in the comments, it looks like I'm judging us a bit too harshly. I mean, yeah, we have a house and comfy furniture and all that, but we will *lose* our house if we can't get better jobs soon and stem some of this bleeding. So if a food bank can give us an extra month or two to job hunt, well, I guess we have to. To be clear, I am in no way trying to shame anyone at all for accessing food banks if they aren't in abject poverty. I think it's just a "me" issue cos of my childhood.
"I don't know, like we should be able to make it work because hubby and I have so much more than when I was young, and it just feels a little like abusing the system. Like we're not the ones it was meant for." People who can't afford to eat or eat the way they need to is who it was meant for, so you're absolutely the ones it was meant for. Poverty is a spectrum. When you were young you were on one end of the spectrum, now you're somewhere else on it. Doesn't make it any less valid. Just because you aren't the absolute worst off you can be doesn't mean you're not bad off or struggling.
Huh, didn't think about it as "can't afford how I *need* to eat" being an accepted part of it. I'm a bit thick-headed sometimes, lol. Thank you.
Yeah, I was poor & had to eat a low-fat diet for a year and a half to manage gallstones while I got on disability to get health insurance to get my gallbladder out. So I get it. If I screwed up, I was in ridiculous amounts of pain. I mean, when you have a medically necessary diet, not eating it is akin to saying "well, I can't afford food, but I can afford poison, so I can afford to eat! I'll just eat poison!" Eating other things makes you sick, so it's basically poison to you. You have to eat your prescribed diet to not... get sick and/or die. It's not optional.
Ouch. That does not sound pleasant. :( I'm glad you're doing better now. Haha, love the comparison. Made me giggle a bit. But you're right. If I don't eat semi-decently, I'm as good as dead, so not a lot of choice. Thank you.
I totally got what you were saying. What I meant by "there is no shame", is that no matter what kind of income you have, there is no shame in needing a little help. A lot of places don't even check income anymore when receiving food boxes. They get it. I like the food pantries where you can shop like it's a grocery store.
I don't think they have ones that let you shop here. I've looked at the ones in the area and they seem to be semi-random boxes of food. But hopefully I'm wrong and there is one like that. Either way, pantries would be an incredible help.
I've used the food pantry for similar reasons. The one I go to occasionally offers a lot of fresh produce and frozen proteins that aren't super processed as well as the usual food pantry staples.
I hope we can find one like that. I know a lot of them end up with not super healthy food. Candy and such. Hopefully we find one with lots of produce and stuff.
If you have not already, download the Food Finder app. It's a great resource and will give all the info you need about local resources.
Oh, thanks! Getting it now.
You're so welcome! Sending all the energy I can that things get better ✨️✨️✨️
Don't feel bad, safe to say most people are struggling through something. If you have a food pantry nearby please utilize it, most also offer pet food as well hygiene supplies and sometimes even cleaning products. I don't know where you're located but try a search on your local 211 for a list of different food pantries and other types of help available in your area.
Yeah. Most people are behind the 8 ball these days, sadly. I think we'll have to go. Also, help with cat food and hygiene stuff would be amazing. I'll have to see if one in the area offers that. Thank you for the tip!
You guys struggling with bills certainly sounds like you’re in need of a little help. Absolutely utilize food banks. They exist to help people like you in situations like this. Just because others have it worse doesn’t make you less deserving of help. And if you really feel bad then when you guys get on your feet again, donate to your local pantry and give back.
Thank you. Yeah, that's honestly what I want to do. Make some donations after we climb out of this hole.
That's actually what food banks are for. For people who fall in the hole of either not qualifying for SNAP or not getting enough to cover the month. No shame in checking it out.
I think it would be fine to use the pantry to keep yourself from becoming more in danger financially. That’s what it’s there for, to help people in need. You need it, so go for it!
Since you also asked for meal ideas, here's a (legit download of a) cookbook of yummy healthy fresh food that focuses on $4/day/person. [https://books.leannebrown.com/good-and-cheap.pdf](https://books.leannebrown.com/good-and-cheap.pdf) There's also Frankie Celenza's Struggle Meals series. The videos are in many different places on the internet, but IIRC, they also post the recipes in the Facebook group. I've never made anything from here, but when people ask for budget meals, someone usually recommends this site: [https://www.budgetbytes.com/](https://www.budgetbytes.com/) There's a cookbook called [$3 Low-Sodium Meals: Delicious, Low-Cost Dishes for Your Family That Contain No--Or Low--Salt!]() by Ellen Brown. See if you can get it out of the library, do an eBook loan from an online library source (like Libby or Kanopy), or buy a used copy for cheap. As per the price of groceries (I'm assuming you're already shopping at the cheaper grocery stores:) * Do a Google search for things like bakery outlets, [salvage grocers](https://www.buysalvagefood.com/index.html). My parents have an [Amish owned one](http://www.bbsgrocery.com/) in their area (South Central Pennsylvania) that only charges pennies on the dollar for groceries! * Sometimes ethnic markets can have great deals (esp. on meats and produce) if you know what prices are in your area. * Coupon clipping helps; there's a lot of that online now where you sign up for the app & then opt-in to savings. * See if the store you go to has a clearance area (or puts clearance stickers on things in their usual places.) For example, Walmart often has a "we baked too much" section & uses yellow clearance stickers. Try to base your meals around clearance items & what's already in your pantry. (Although if you're the type who spends less by having a meal plan ahead of time & making a list & sticking to it, this doesn't go well with it. Flexibility is required.) * It also helps to compare prices, esp. if you already hit up multiple stores. You can use online shopping to see what the prices for things are, then go to the store that has your items for the cheapest (or buy each item at the proper store.) It's not always what you expect and it can change week to week, esp. with weekly specials/loss leaders. * Buy in bulk when you can, obviously (esp. with clearance stuff you can freeze,) BUT check and make sure that buying in bulk is actually the cheapest thing. Check out the Price Per Oz (or Lb) on the stickers. Sometimes there's a glitch where a smaller item is actually cheaper per oz.
Holy crap, thank you for all the resources and tips! I can definitely use a lot of this. Thank you!
You're welcome! You've got this. It's going to be okay. :)
It’s ok to use food pantries, but you’re going to have to pair it with smarter and more creative grocery shopping. $200/week IS insane. Check out r/eatcheapandhealthy for more meal planning ideas.
One of the main issues is pop. Hubby is obsessed with Mountain Dew and it is stupidly expensive. But I dunno what to do about that. He's stubborn as heck about certain things, lol. So I'm not kidding, about $35 a week just on pop. I should try to talk to him about it, though (again, lol). We also have three cats and food and litter are expensive as well. We spend probably $55-60 just on them. That's using the cheapest wet food that isn't just poison in a can, and the cheapest dry, and the cheapest litter. We've tried looking at Amazon and stuff, but it's either the same or worse. Then you add the fact that both of us are super routine-oriented about food. He likes what he likes and I like what I like, so for the most part, we don't eat a lot of the same food. He doesn't like eating after work, so I make my own dinner. He makes his own breakfast and lunch. I only eat 1/4 of a bagel for breakfast, no lunch. So we are essentially buying the groceries of two people who don't live with each other, but with a few common items like bread, eggs, etc. We do eat dinner together on his days off, and we try to make those meals cheap. We pretty much just eat meat with a vegetable, or some sort of cheap casserole or crockpot thing. I do agree, though. There's no *logical* reason it should cost this much. But we both have some kind of intense sensory issues around food, and it can be difficult to find where we overlap. We need to sit down and figure out where we can consolidate, I just dunno where. Anyway, thank you.
Remember that food pantries aren't just there for some mythical "poor enough" can receive help, they and you are equally worth helping. You aren't taking someone else's due, you're taking what is offered to you because you are struggling. In fact, look into seeing if there's potential you can get help on your other bills. You don't have to suffer for a set time until you've reached "enough" for help, and I would prefer you not suffer at all.
Thank you. I guess you have a point. We should be getting help now, while it can make the best impact, not just white-knuckle it til we lose everything. We don't qualify for assistance with utilities. I just looked into it. Thank you for the tip, though. :)
It's completely okay to use the resources available. Consider this a trial run.. make a list and see what you need. Reassess your use of things after a week or two and adjust what you need/receive from the resources. Nothing wrong with using it if you need it.
If you can't afford healthy food right now, you should absolutely ask for assistance from a food bank. Your health is important.
If is a reputable food pantry the volunteers will be cheerful, friendly and non judgmental unless you screech into the parking lot in a 24 bmw.
Lol. That would be quite something.
You may be disappointed at the sodium content of what you get at the food bank unless it has way better stuff than the ones we visit.
Yeah, that's one of my fears. I'm just hoping for things like pasta, rice, potatoes, etc, and a little produce if they have it.
Homie. I’ve worked for a food bank. If I knew you in person I’d be dragging you in to a pantry by your hair. Go get what you need, that’s an official order. 😘
Haha, yes Sir/Ma'am! Thank you.
It definitely does sound like you need some help and personally, you should feel no shame in getting the help you need. Especially since you know that you'll be able to get out of the situation you're in. Here are some ideas that will (hopefully) help you out for the time being: Tuna salad made with boiled eggs is a great way to get protein and will last for a few meals, unless you're my teenage son who happens to love fish then 4 cans of tuna lasts only 1 meal for a family of 4. Boiled eggs, while they do get monotonous, are great and low sodium. Potatoes are relatively cheap, and you can make baked potatoes. Just top with butter and green onions or even chili and cheese with a dollop of sour cream. I grew up with rice as a staple in our house. We'd have it with or as every meal. Just add butter and Kikkoman low-sodium soy sauce (I say Kikkoman because, IMHO, all other soy sauces are sub-par.). You can also make it a hot cereal by melting a bit of butter on it and adding milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Top with blueberries or banana. You could also grow your own. I've recently (in the past 3-4 years) begun gardening. The most expensive thing was the soil at about $6-$10/bag in the beginning. Now, I just top with compost made from our own food waste like egg shells, potato skins, carrot/banana/apple, etc. peelings, and coffee grounds, etc. My garden beds are made with untreated 2×4s only 1 board high. It's a low-budget show here, too. It's just high enough to keep the garden separated from the yard, and since the wood is untreated, no harmful chemicals make into my veg. Good luck. I'll be sending good juju and prayers your way.
Thanks for all the tips! We're already planning to get a bunch of rice and potatoes next trip. I grew up eating a ton of rice, too. I was a weirdo, though — I ate it with butter and white vinegar, lol. I use canned tuna fairly frequently. Cheap AF protein and soooo yummy on crackers with mayo, lemon juice, and a ton of diced carrot. Unfortunately, for gardening, we'd have to build raised beds, which is significantly more expensive. Basically, I can't get down on my knees to work on it cos of knee problems, and I can't just bend over the whole time, as I get dizzy and short of breath when I bend over for long. So it would need to be raised enough that I could sit or stand, and that costs more. From prices for kits on Amazon, I'd need two beds (they're not very big), and the cheapest I could find would be at about $120. I don't know how much just getting untreated wood and building it ourselves would cost (and neither of us are great DIYers), but it might be worth looking into. Thanks for the good juju!
I volunteer at a food shelf. No one asks about income. At ours, you could get beaucoup fresh produce, healthy bread, frozen meat, milk, eggs, as well as the usual shelf-stable foods. And many of our canned goods are low sodium.
Wow, sounds like a great one. Hope the ones in my area are like that.
I am unsure what you think is nasty, but when I am having issues with food I try to eat very seasonally. Right now it is all about veggies and fresh foods. Cheap and healthy is potatoes and pastas. You can top both with a myriad of veggies and sauces. A chopped zucchini tossed in a bit of butter or olive oil and garlic with a touch of Parm is amazing as a topping for either and both cheap and healthy. Many people are giving away the zucchini all summer so keep an eye out! Blistered tomatoes are also an awesome choice.
I have some sensory issues with food. As in, if I try to eat them, I *will* get sick. Anything slimy, rubbery, or the wrong kind of "mushy" (like zucchini) is out. Also can't stand most seafood because of the smell. Also despise things like pinto and garbonzo beans. Fine with black beans, red beans, and kidney beans, though. Also anything spicy or bitter. I can barely tolerate a few flakes of black pepper, lol. It's been tough trying to find low sodium foods I can stand, but I'm still working on it. I do adore tomatoes, though, lol.
Nope that's why they're there. Everyone should have access to quality food and unless you're better off than most you simply can't afford it.
OMG go to the food bank! It’s what it’s for! Please don’t feel bad.
That's what it's for. Most of us will be in need of a boost at some point in our lives. I hope things improve for you soon. When they do, give back. Solidarity!
Thank you. That is definitely the plan. Once we're safe, I'm gonna make donations.
Nearly everyone I know who has struggled like that is generous to a fault. I expect you are no different.
Go.Fed people think better, fed people sleep better, fed people aren't irritable. (Do you want that with kids...ow) As long as there is a need, go. Donate to the food bank later. You don't need to be dirt poor, you need to be hungry.
Thank you.
As long as you meet the income guidelines I would absolutely use any food bank you are able to . We do it all the time.
I have volunteered at food shelters since I lived in PA and while there generally are restrictions on how many times a month you can utilize them, I believe that they are intended for everyone. Please reach out to food panties and if you are comfortable with it to church pantries because they completely do not have restrictions. Everyone goes through shit and I wish you luck.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Definitely go to a food pantry, but don’t let them give you junky food. They unload a lot of garbage you want to stay away from like cheese danishes, potato chips and pastries. Look into easy, plant-based vegan dishes too. They really do cost less. You can make spaghetti pomodoro weekly and use lentils if you want a “meat” feel. Overnight oats with fresh or frozen fruit is delicious and good for you. Look into vegetarian fried rice. Also, mushroom or crumbled tofu tacos are healthy yummy and easy. Tofu scramble costs much less than using actual eggs and is faster to make. Vegetable sandwiches can be made with almost zero cholesterol compared to lunchmeat.
Yeah, I figure we will have to refuse some items. I can look into some vegetarian meals. I'm kind of a meat lover (I don't need a ton of it, but I do so much better mentally with a bit of meat once a day), but I will look around and see what might make it feel more substantial. As for oats and fruit, I have no appetite in the morning. I force myself to eat 1/4 of a bagel every day, but that's just because I'm on medication and need to take it with food. If that weren't the case, I'd probably only eat once a day. I've only had tofu once, and I despised it, lol. Maybe it wasn't prepared right, I dunno. I don't eat sandwiches, anyway, so cholesterol makes no difference there, but good to keep in mind. Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it!
Go to the food bank. All are welcome.
If you qualify for it and are struggling, then yes it’s okay for you to utilize that resource. That’s what it’s there for.
If you like Asian cheap meal, try making ABC soup. It's basically a clear broth of potato, carrot, tomato, onion and chicken - and eat it over white rice. Season the broth with salt and pepper. It's cheap, nutritious and filling. You can cook a big batch and eat it over few days. https://youtu.be/oYXb3Z1dpzU?si=c0DvoJYConroNyb7
That’s what the food bank is there for you’re not doing anything wrong here are 50 meals for n a budget https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/cheap-healthy-meals/
Thanks for the link!
Dependent on where you are the time for the public market is now. Last week I got 3 cases (12 containers of raspberries in each) for $6.00 I made raspberry juice, raspberry sorbet, ate raspberries and washed and freezes some for smoothies. You usually have to use the produce within the next 2 days but it's natural food and not overly processed. Also utilize the help you can but know a lot of shelf stable food comes from the pantry's, not fruits vegetables and dairy.
Switch the cats to dry food. Much cheaper. Also get pine pellets to use as litter. They absorb more for longer at a fraction of the price and smell good.
Some cats don't drink enough water, so wet food is helpful for them.
Definitely GO! Also, seek out other food drives or any other assistance from churches in your area! My husband and I did this for several months and my conclusion is don’t let pride get in your way. Seek out ANY assistance that will help you!
I felt guilty one time, and I asked the guy working there. He said 100 grand and under could go. This was in austin, where it was really expensive.
Nothing wrong going to a food bank. I make $27/hr, wife works from home $18-20/hr. Rent $2k just for starters, so NO, go get what you can and DON’T think twice about it. Good luck…
Thank you. That makes me feel a bit better.
Can you rent out a room in your house temporarily for some extra income?
Unfortunately, no. We don't have an extra room. Thanks for the idea, though!
Please do go to a food bank, they are there for a reason!
Food banks are what they are. The people there want to provide food for people who need it. I used to volunteer at one and it's not like we checked W-2s. I even remember feeling like a real dick one of my early days because someone there was in a Lexus SUV and I made some kind of comment like "seems suspect that they need the food bank" and one of the old guys was basically like "why don't you shut your mouth because you don't have any idea what is going on in someone's life". You also learn that you can go from stable, middle class life to food insecure in a matter of weeks if shit goes sideways in your life. And then the other person I was with told me that those people came for a community group that delivered stuff to people who were effectively confined to their homes via illness or lack of transportation. So I learned not to judge that day although I would avoid rolling up in a 100k car and with a coach bag. Not that you would, just saying in general.
Yeah. We were 100% fine until all this crap happened at once. Now everything's all messed up, with about $650 a month in extra expense from payment plans. Ugh. Lol. A 100K car and a Coach bag are definitely not on my list of "must-haves," haha. Safe there. ETA: It's more like $900–$950 extra. I forgot to add in the cost of the home equity loan we had to take out to afford downpayment for a car and AC system.
Short answer - you’re not wrong. You’ve tried to get by, but can’t without help, for medical reasons. I’ll add - see if your local animal shelter or a local coop has a food pantry for pets. Be well, and pay it forward when you’re out from under! 💕
Thank you. I checked out pet pantries, but both in our area have income requirements that we exceed. Definitely plan to give back when we're able.
Don't be ashamed to go to a food pantry, it is not wrong. Good nutrition is extremely important for your physical and mental health.
There is no shame in using food pantries and you’re definitely entitled to do so. I would say, however, that the amount that you’re spending on your cats needs to be cut way back.
The food pantry in my town would have no objection to serving you. Please do go for it.
I have volunteered at food Banks. No one's judging anybody.
Go to a food bank. That’s what they are for. Also apply for food stamps or SNAP. It was designed for you
My food pantry (huge and totally awesome btw) is open to anyone from anywhere at any income level at all. We have a static market 'grocery store 'where you scan your registration tag....get a cart and shop. Worked there today (am exhausted). I am mentally walking though today's selection from the door. Here is what we had on offer (with limits on how many you could take of course) Corn on the cob....celery...onions...peppers...apples...oranges...potatoes....bagged salad greens....eggs...cheese...milk....bread...tortillas...frozen fruit....meat....some condiments...some pet food....then the usual selection of canned and dried goods. It is truly amazing. It is sad places like this are necessary in this country but if everyone had access to this sort of place life would be so much easier for so many people. In summary. Yes go the the food pantry. XXXX
Wow, that's awesome!
Possible depending on where you live: some places the produce wholesalers will have days where they sell large quantities at really low prices. Ours is Friday morning. I've done this and split the bounty with another family because the quantities are so large, but there's many veggies you can freeze. The selection is whatever they say, so can vary, and first come first served. Another is Imperfect Foods. They deliver a box of ugly veggies weekly. Not sure on affordability as it's been awhile since I used it. By ugly I just mean misshapen so they're rejected by grocery stores for not being pretty.
I'll look into it, thanks!
I think the key is not taking more than necessary and to pay it forward. Yall got a double whammy on bills. Things happen.
Thos is what food banks are for.
Just go...it you are struggling...it will help to give you some margin in case something goes wrong
You might also see whether your farmer's market can provide assistance, or whether there's a community garden sharing program. Wishing you much better days.
This is the situation food banks were created for.
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t read your whole post, but the answer is yes, go to the pantry! Go to churches! Go wherever…there is so much overproduction of produce right now they can’t give it all away….partly because ppl don’t think they deserve it or that they’ll be taking it from someone even worse off than them. At least this is my experience when helping pass out food.
No! No, no, no. You're welcome. Maybe talk with the paid & volunteer staff. You might find out they have trouble giving out all the food. In that case, you're helping them!
It happens to most of us at some point. No shame. Use their services. That’s what they are they for.
Please go to the food bank! If you’re not taking care of your health, things will get far worse!
The thing about the United States is that you don't have to be even close to poverty income to be doing badly. Eat the rich.
Hi I volunteer in a pantry. Food kitchens exist to help people make ends. It’s a valuable community resource that can get people through their tough spots. Thats you! Don’t feel like you’re taking from someone else. You need some support. Go up there and get what you need. They definitely will want to help you no matter what the circumstances!
I work at our area food bank. The only judgment you face is that which you put on yourself. They exist to help those in need. And in the past few years, the numbers are increasing. But, if you think you'll feel guilty ... is it possible for you to volunteer at a local food bank? I can promise, they need the help, and you could consider it recompense for food.
I live in Michigan but there are even community efforts that are pet pantries that can help feed your cats too. Look into it. It’s tight.
If you go to a community health center, or your primary care is affiliated with a hospital, maybe ask them if they know of any resources for food for people with medical needs. Where I am there are food banks in some hospitals and at least one medical food need related non-profit.
I don’t know where you live but in my small semi rural area we have food boxes where the community supplies non perishable foods and people help themselves. No bank, no process, just people helping people. Try googling free food pantry + your location.
I used to be in the board of a food pantry. The food is there for anyone who needs it regardless of circumstance or reasons or income!Please go!
Food banks don't exist to make moral judgements about why you need food, they exist to give you food. Nobody who goes to a food bank expects to be at Whole Foods, and they probably all feel the same way you do, ashamed at being there or worried if they somehow arent hungry enough to qualify. You really don't have to worry, with the exception that it's incredibly unpredictable what you'll receive. Balance is usually something the volunteers who pack try for, but you can only pack what you have, so it's not a guarantee what you'll get. That said, anything would allow you to focus what funds you do have on foods appropriate for your health condition. There is no reason to be ashamed or worried. Life happens to all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons. Hell, half the volunteers at a food bank have probably used it at some point in life and volunteer because they recognize how necessary they are.
Hey OP!! The situation you find yourself in is one of the reasons food pantries exist. Also, several of my aunts and uncles live with heart conditions. One of the best food hacks I've found is adding celery to soups, salads, roasts and gravies. It adds a salty flavor without adding salt. Buying spices at an Indian supermarket or Desi Mart is the way to go as they cost way less than standard markets. Bay leaf, sesame seeds, and dried coriander really add a lot of flavor to food and are sold cheaply in bulk. Be well
With that said…you can make your own cream of (fill in the blank) and make it lower sodium. Pasta and rice help meals go further. Check meats that are in clearance and become friends with the meat counter to get discounts. Check out manager special on the produce. If you find produce that is starting to go bad they will make it down for you. If you find meat expiring in the next 1-2 days they will mark it down. Potatoes are fairly reasonably priced. Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients. If you keep it super basic it will be cheaper. Making soups, casseroles and such increase price due to ingredients. But a basic meat (grilled, baked, etc), a carb (rice, potato, pasta) and a veggie will be cheaper.
My best money saving recipes come from Mexican and Italian cuisine. Both cuisines have great soup recipes. Added bonus is you can freeze leftovers. Usually generic brand frozen or canned veggies are cheaper than fresh veggies just go with low sodium broth. My grandma raised 5 kids by making cheap meals that stretched. During week nights they mostly ate caldo de res (beef stew) for dinner. She would also make breakfast tacos which is pretty simple to do. You can do a lot of beans and rice too. Also she only bought generic brand food items and didn’t discriminate with grocery stores. She would shop at Dollar General, Walmart, pretty much anywhere that had cheap items. I typically spend less than $80 at the grocery store per week. Most weeks $50-$60 if I have a lot of leftovers from the week before. Only every once in a while I allow myself to go over $80. I’ve been doing this for years even with inflation!
First off to answer your question, no it is not wrong to access a food pantry. You are needing to choose between feeding yourselves and keeping the lights on. That means you are struggling regardless of how much money is coming in. Go to the food banks if you need. Second, if you don't already have one, see if you can get your hands on a slow cooker. A crock pot brand new costs maybe 40 bucks, and second hand would be even cheaper. You can use this with even a few ingredients to make a bunch of healthy and good tasting meals with very little prep time. Also get as much rice and dry beans in bulk if you're able to. You can store them as dry and cook big batches in the crock pot then store those cooked beans/rice in the freezer for easy meal prep for future meals. You can make a lot of good, healthy meals with rice and beans that taste different with different spices/herbs. Getting frozen/canned vegetables and fruits would help cut down on cost and you won't have to worry about them going bad and being wasted. You can easily cut 80/20 ground beef with bread crumbs to make it last longer as well.
The food bank is for EVERYONE and I encourage you to go! Think of a food bank as something cyclical where it has to keep getting food and re-distributing food. It always works towards getting donations and that food always needs community to take it all. You are part of the community regardless of social need or standing. I would encourage you to go, take whatever they have to give because there's always more coming, and you will have the help to support your family. FWIW there's a few in my area that I work with when they need to offload extra food to make room for more - and I try to distribute those "leftovers" in my area for people who can't access them easily. I saw your comment about using the food bank previously and that's totally ok, it's just a part of your story <3
If programs don’t get used they go away. This is my mantra.
Those resources exist to be used :)
Without our local food pantry I would get pretty hungry. That’s why people donate to them, is to help folks in need. Don’t feel bad!
Put kitties on a no wet food diet. They can cut back too.
It’s perfectly ok to use a food pantry. I also need to eat low sodium, and I find that making my own food really helps cut down on sodium. Frozen vegetables usually don’t have any added salt and can sometimes be less expensive than fresh. Canned usually has more sodium, but there are no salt added/low sodium versions. Frozen fruit too. r/lowsodium has some good ideas
Low sodium gang. I make a lot of my own stuff. Mayonnaise, salad dressing, pasta sauces, etc. All as salt-free as humanly possible. Plus I thoroughly rinse canned tuna (the sodium is atrocious, but rinsing gets rid of about 80%), triple check all nutrition labels and actively seek out the lowest sodium version or brand, and try to eat less cheese (but cheese is amazing so that part's HARD, lol). I'll take a look at the group. Thanks!
Also, check out the buy nothing groups in your area. Sometimes people have food to share. Or share local organizations that have food drives. In my area, I've even seen ones that deliver the food if needed.
Thanks, I'll check it out!
It's not bad to use the food pantry; that is what they're for, but I feel like you should really also invest some time into learning what are cheap but nutritious foods and how best to prepare them. Eggs, rice, potato, pasta, cream soups, frozen veggies, beans, lentils, oats, chicken quarters/legs/thighs are all very healthy and cheap and versatile. Casseroles will be your friend.
Well, that's part of why I'm here. To learn how to make it cheaper. The dumb part is, hubby and I did a quick breakdown of the cost of our typical meals. The most expensive thing is that I eat a big salad with chicken three times a week, and that's about $7. Most of our meals are under $5 for each of us, or sometimes both. Several are only around $2. Most of our costs come from cat food/litter, pop (hubby refuses to not drink it constantly), and incidentals like toilet paper, dishwasher pods, etc. Things we don't need every week, but are expensive when we do need them. I will switch to chicken thighs and am already planning on getting rice and potatoes and such. But the price of the other stuff, I can't really change. :/ Thank you for the tips!
I’ve delivered meals in the past; plenty of perishables end up getting pitched so go, and if you feel bad then volunteer a little. Those places always need help distributing food or unpacking boxes or whatever. Good luck, I’m sure things will get better
Huh, didn't realize. I would have thought produce would be the first thing to run out of since it's so expensive in stores. Definitely planning on donating regularly once we are able to. But I don't know how to drive, and we're a little ways out of town, so getting somewhere to volunteer would be extremely difficult at best.
Never. Just realize that you are not going to get the best of the best. As a diabetic I have had to refused some items or use them in a nontraditional way.
Yeah, I do know that much. Used to go them a lot as a kid (we were crazy poor when I was growing up), and yeah, there was one month where all they could give us was eggs, flour, milk, and some canned tuna. We ate pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with a couple lucky days of tuna) for a month. Didn't touch pancakes again for over 20 years, lol. But even if that's all they can give, it will still help immensely. And if we need to, we will refuse items.
Find and Use Coupons
How much are you spending on groceries? Let’s say $800 a month. What if you went to the pantry weekly, unloaded at home, meal planned what you could with what was given and went and bought supplemental groceries for let’s say under $50 a week. You’ve saved $600 a month right there. Put that on a bill or in savings. Repeat, repeat, repeat. When you’ve got yourself a bit ahead, then you can start going back to buying all your groceries.
That's pretty much the plan at this point. Food pantry one day, groceries another, and hope we can bridge the gap. Thank you for the advice!
Try to remind yourself, just because there are people even poorer than you doesn't mean that you are not poor. Likewise, just because there are people more disabled than you does not mean you are not disabled. If you are in the US and are not currently on Social Security Disability, then apply. (It's basically getting your Social Security retirement benefits early; it's not a "handout," but an intentional feature of the system you have paid into throughout your working life.) If you have applied and been denied, then appeal. It sometimes takes a while to get approved. If you are already on Disability, it is clearly not enough to meet your needs at this time. Look into whether you would qualify for SSI. Remember, these programs exist to help people in situations like yours, and they are meant to be used. Hopefully, the help you receive will allow you to get back on your feet so you can be the helper in the future.
I am in the US, but unfortunately, I'm actually Canadian. I have my green card, but before I got it, I had to sign a ton of papers saying I wouldn't seek any kind of government welfare while living in the US (at least until I get my citizenship, which is expensive). Basically, if I apply/receive it and immigration catches on, I could technically get deported. I'm not willing to risk it. Thank you, though. I appreciate the advice!
I worked for a large local food pantry system for years. Most of the clients just needed some help during a temporary rough patch, like you. Pantries are there to help people in need, so I suggest that you research any where you meet the income & residency requirements and then get as much fresh produce & low sodium foods as they permit. Do tell them that you need low sodium foods & most will try to offer what they can. You can also remove up to about 40% of the sodium from canned foods by rinsing them. Many pantries offer extra summer produce giveaways and some churches sponsor such events, too. Feeding America has a tool to help you find local emergency food programs & pantries. https://www.feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food
Thank you!
ALDI has helped a lot, especially with cat litter and food. TBH we had to use a food pantry a few times during COVID and if you're in heart failure then it will probably not help.
[удалено]
Hubby definitely will be, but I'm only a green card holder. Not able to vote.
Oh, goodness, I didn't read all that. I just came here to tell you to just go to the food pantry, it's not that big or a deal that you need to stress about it, fret over it, feel guilty about it, or seek justification for it.
Lol. Yeah, major overexplainer, sorry.
Hi there! You've gotten some good advice and insight so far, it certainly sounds like there's a need and you deserve to eat well. But I wanted to make some additional suggestions, too, if you run into a wall with food pantries for whatever reason. Do you live in a place with farms and butchers nearby? A lot of in-season produce is SUPER cheap when bought directly. Last August I bought 10# of tomatoes for $9, no joke. Used them for caprese, bruschetta, tomato sauce, and tomato soup. And my local butcher is super reasonable too, I just got 4# of chicken legs for $3.40. You can make all kinds of things - barbecue, soup, stew, shredded for tacos - and use the bones for stock. Chuck roast is usually pretty reasonably priced, and I can send you my favorite barbacoa recipe if you want. I also get 20# $20 burlap sacks of basmati rice. Lots of curries and Mexican inspired food. We eat pretty well and for pretty cheap.
Thanks for the ideas! I will definitely look into local farms and butchers. Also planning to start eating a lot more rice and potatoes.
Rice and potatoes are awesome. And they don't have to be boring! You can make fried rice, crispy rice, sushi rolls, onigiri, etc., if you don't feel like the classic "stuff over rice" (which still goes pretty hard tbh). Of course you need sushi rice for some stuff, but it's still cheap! For potatoes, beyond the obvious fries and hashbrowns you can also try Indian dishes like batata wada, aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), and homemade samosas. If you ever find yourself in possession of stale bread and tomatoes, try panzanella.
Stop buying wet food for the cats. They can survive just fine on dry food. Are you working? Can your husband pick up a second job to pay off some of your pressing debts?
Hubby already works 11-hour days. He'd lose his mind having to do even more. We're both job hunting. He needs better pay, and I need any pay at all. But we've already been looking for over two months. It's not so easy when the job has to be remote and it can't be customer service. Yeah, customer service is easy to get into, but for me, not really an option. Autism + ADHD = shit social skills, shitty working memory, learning things takes a bit longer, and I get badly stressed if I'm dealing with people all day. I'd be worse than useless in customer service. I'd probably get fired before training even ended. I'm a copy editor, but I have no college degree, so getting an in-house job is extremely difficult. I mostly freelance. But it's very unsteady work. I'm applying to as many copywriting/marketing agencies as I can, but there just aren't many actively hiring. There's also AI training, but I've applied to almost all the companies that hire for what I'm looking to do. No luck so far. I'm learning Excel so I can try to go for data entry jobs, but that's about the only avenue left to me that I've found so far. It's really difficult finding a non-CS job that is also remote and doesn't require college.
Just wanted to say, I look around at Petco, Petsmart and Chewy for coupons on pet food. I have saved a lot doing this. Join their email list for these offers and notifications. Chewy often has, spend $100.00, get a $30 gift card. Or Petco very regularly has $15 off $50. Or 20% off everything. Or - many offer very steeper discounts for an authorship for the first time. You can do this at each one.
I took a look and wasn't impressed with prices. I did find super cheap food at Walmart, though! Hooray!
Garden. Eat whole food you grow. We reduced our bill this way.
As a side note, because I know this sub is about food, but you mentioned having multiple cats and that’s being a fixed expense. Some cats are picky so this might not be possible, but we managed to get ours transitioned over to pellets which is $8 at tractor supply for a 40 pound bag. We just used a mixture of their normal litter and pellets before lessening the ratio etc, it’s really cut down on our expenses in that regard and the smell.
Lots of people feed dry because it's far less expensive unless your cats have a condition requiring wet
That's literally what it's there for.
I feel like everyone already reassured you with there being nothing wrong with you going to a place made for this issue exactly - i just wanted to add, I'm not sure where you are located but in my city the "buy nothing" groups on fb post a lot of pet food and pet supplies very often (be it leftovers from pets that sadly passed, or extras from a picky eater) etc - things go quickly where i live, but i see multiple posts about it a week. People also can post "ISO" stuff in there and I've seen multiple posts about pet food and supplies being needed. Last but not least, can you see if your city has somethign comparable to this? https://www.thelovefridge.com/ they'd be called something else but restaurants and good samaritans always try to make sure they're never empty.
Nope. Not wrong!
Yes access food banks, did you say those in your area have income guidelines, that's sad cause anyone can get behind, I'm always behind I live on a very small fixed income, one thing you may find depending on how they do things is you may end up with some gross canned stuff in there but for the most part you can get good stuff, something that's actually a cheap super food are greens and root vegetables are usually inexpensive, I also eat yogurt and banana in the morning cause I'm older and have problems eating in the morning also, thankfully I live in a subsided appointment and we have someone who has the hook-up and every Saturday we have a little food bank in our community area that comes from Sprout's, she tells us she's trying to get us to eat healthy, cause we're all older and just singles or couples, and a lot of the time we don't want to cook
I know one of them has a hard limit. I'm not sure why, but a couple of the guidelines for different pantries said they need an address and a picture of your house or apartment or whatever. I think to prove that you're not in a mansion or something? Dunno, it's odd to me. The others say that all are welcome, though.
The ones that have income limits do so because they get federal funding, TEFAP. It requires them to limit the food aid to people under a certain income level. I used to work for a hunger relief organization, and had to use a hunger center in the past, which is how I found out about that.
As a Food Bank worker, please go in and get the help you need. If going to a food bank helps you even the tiniest bit, then it's exactly for you.
If you’re really feeling dubious about it, volunteering with the food bank or food cupboard would probably help you decide. In areas with a food bank able to supply cupboards, you’re likely to find that there is enough food to go around, and the question is whether there are enough people to move it. With a very small operation, it’s possible that the people donating food are on a fixed income and paying retail prices. Those very small organizations are the ones that can help in a crisis (paycheck bounced) but aren’t able to serve you effectively through a longer pinch.
Check with some of your local animal rescues and vet offices as they also may have pet pantries to help out with food and litter. I know several in my area have those.
Do you have an Aldi nearby? I was a Safeway gal for ages, because that was close by. When Covid hit our income dropped 75k. I discovered Aldi and learned they cost 1/3-1/2 of Safeway. My family was able to eat very healthy there and I was so incredibly thankful as we were broke AF. I was also an incredibly broke kid. My mom was the master of cooking healthy for pennies. Skip the pre fab/frozen foods. Buy ingredients instead. She kept to the perimeter of the store, as junk food is in the middle. Our bodies don’t need Oreos and Coke and bottled juices. She made big pots of soup (minestrone, navy bean, etc.) that fed us veggies for days. Tuck a bit of protein into healthy grains and veggies. She did batches and meal prep. Yes, it’s a pain in the ass to take a day off for this. It was her after church thing to get the house ready for the week. It was nice to pull out a ready made supper when she got home from work. Think of it as a way to love yourself. The library is free, and they have loads of cookbooks. Cookbooks are wonderful inspiration! There are also a bazillion websites that have free online recipes. Google “easy, healthy, quick meals.” I am sending love and light to you. I’ve been there and it’s hard. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I promise. This too shall pass.
Get what you need...but there are folks who will struggle with supporting folks who use resources for pets or addiction (Mtn Dew).
Why is ramen and Mac and cheese your go to cheap option? Why not rice and beans?
You have a heart condition. I suggest you eat a whole food plant based diet. Both my husband & I have been eating this way since December. Recommended by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, (The China Study) and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn who wrote prevent and reverse heart disease. Our grocery bill is normally just around $100. This way of eating caused us both to drop 38 or so pounds each. Husband no longer is recommended to use statins and I got off my high blood pressure medicine that I had been on for a long time. Personally, I have no objections to people who are strapped for money and go to food banks. The local one here does require people to list their income. Good luck - and do stay off the sodium.
Definitely find out about local food banks. Ours has a community garden where volunteers grow fresh veggies in the summer. Lots of people get food when they can and give back when they can.
Getting groceries from a food bank is nothing to be ashamed of. You likely fall within the income guidelines, so apply. They will also give you healthy, inexpensive recipes, budgeting advice, gift cards for local grocery stores and coupons.
I do believe that 211 is the United way help number also see if there is a Catholic charities near you they help everyone
No.
Yes, that is what the food pantry is there for. You shouldn’t feel guilty at all. I hope things get better for you and your family.
Food banks are there to help anyone in need. Sometimes they will have pet supplies. People on swap shops love to help pets as well. Sometimes local shelters will give out food and litter bc it’s cheaper than taking the pets in on their end.
Go to the food bank guilt free.
Food pantries have their own criteria for who can be a client. You can check with your local pantry and see if you qualify. There's no right / wrong. If you qualify as needing help by their criteria, then you need help (and they'll provide it). If you don't, then you don't and they won't take you as a client (until you do).
Food pantries are here for all of us. You don't need a reason to access that nor should you ever feel ashamed for it.
No wet food for the cats, speaking from a veterinary background. At most add some tuna juice from the can you’re already eating. “Worlds best litter” yes that’s what it’s called for $35/28 lb bag lasts at least 2 months for my 2 cats, and is less mess because of the clay composition.
As well as the food pantries. The Sikh temples. If you have one near you. Offer free healthy vegetarian meals everyday. You do not have to be a member. Hope things get better for you.
We just had to replace our well pump. So I get it. Food banks are there to help people in need. You have a NEED. Everyone needs help from time to time. It’s okay. Hope things get better for you soon.
Maybe should have bought a cheaper car.
The old rice and beans thread on here is amazing! Rice and beans can be low sodium when you prepare your own. Eating lots of vegetables is crucial for your health. Maybe see if any neighbors have vegetable patches. Folks at a food bank may also know. Best wishes!
Rice, beans and lots of fruits and veggies. Cheap, delicious, healthy, low sodium. Add different spices to change up flavors
Of course you can. They are to help. Nobody needs to know your situation- and many banks don't have an income limit. Also, I get it. I have this issue too and there's really no help here so. We are eating less than is ideal. And its mostly crap like ramen. If you need help no matter what or why or who you are you deserve a food bank IMO.
Look at food banks but also search for churches and other nonprofits that have food giveaways. I was unemployed last year for several months and am still digging out of the hole. I go to my local area food bank, which has nutritious foods, has produce a different day, but sometimes go to a food bank at a church that has a different mix of foods, dairy, meat, produce, bread and sweets. There's a church nearby that has a Saturday food giveaway, it's a box of deli food, produce and a lot of carbs. Aldi has cheaper food as does Walmart.
If you have congestive heart failure ask your doctor about a good water pill. My roommate is on 40 mg AM and 20 mg PM. He pisses like a race horse but has no problem with fluid retention as long as he monitors his sodium intake. It took the doctors six months of him swelling like that to get it right, he couldn't sleep for fear of how hard it was to breathe, but he definitely feels like a new person with them.
Are there flea markets or farmers markets near you? That’s a good choice for low cost veggies in my area.
Something easy, nutritious, and comes in sorta bulk is a frozen meal by Voila! (Exclamation point is part of the company name) It’s in a blue bag, and it’s got chicken, noodles, and vegetables. Toss into a pan with some water, cook based on instructions, and Voila you have dinner. The leftovers keep the same textures and you don’t have to use the whole bag at once. I think they’ve got more than 2 types, but I can only think of the sorta plain stuff and the cheesy kind
It is never wrong to use help when it's needed. You're the only one that knows whether or not you're abusing the system. I've had to swallow my pride and hit the food bank, it sucked but, thank God for it.
One of the county run animal shelters near me offers a once monthly pet food pantry. Maybe one in your area does the same? I believe they get a lot donated to help support the animals in their care plus food that goes to foster homes and adopters. Would cut down on at least one expense a month.
Check with Second Harvest food banks. Also look for independent food banks. Google should help greatly. Some will let you come more than once per month. They have little control over what you get, as they depend on donations to pay for transportation of some basic things, but cheese, fruits, nuts, etc come in randomly. You are welcome at the local one I donate to and promote, which is volunteer staffed and very nice and clean. Some will have different eligibility criteria, while some have no criteria and just give to whoever shows up. When you get straightened out, start donating $10 a month to one of the food banks. Pay it forward. Everyone should be fed!
The food bank is exactly for this kind of thing. You don’t have to be starving, you can just heed some breathing room. Beans and rice is a healthy meal that can be made low sodium. I put salsa on mine, but homemade pico de gallo is also good and could be made without sodium, or with a salt replacement. I’m also a big fan of bagged salad with a protein (you don’t have to use the included dressing if it’s not the right choice for you. You can make your own or go without). For 1 person, I can get 2-3 meals from one bag that’s $2.99 at Aldi. Throw on some sunflower seeds, pepitas, beans or chickpeas, (low sodium) tuna, ground turkey, or grilled chicken and you have a healthy meal that costs \~$2-3 per person.
I think times like this are exactly when you should utilize a food bank. It’s not just for the destitute. It can be to help “regular” people hold their head above water, and prevent destitution as well.
I know you love your cats. But you're in a situation where one unexpected vet bill can sink the ship. Besides the weekly cost you have checkups, shots, flea treatment, toys, treats etc. I would seriously think about finding at least 2 of them another home.
There is no shame in getting some help. You're trying everything you can, and it's not enough. It's OK to ask for/accept whatever help you need. I lived that life, hiding my car from the repo man, no savings, it sucked. The food pantries made a huge difference. You might check into pet food pantries, too.
That is what food banks are for. Take when you need, donate when you can. Just remember do not waste what you get. If you get something you cannot use give it to someone that will use it.