Eating on a Limited Income
What I do is now is go to the food bank 3 times a month instead of 1 time. It is for anyone who can't afford to eat three meals a day and their standards have increased as all the grocery store owners now donate more food when collection at their store site doesn't get full.
What I do with the money I get for food benefits is get the stuff like milk and hamburger which isn't included when you go to the food bank for free food. I also get pasta and Kool-aid and butter and cheese. This takes most of it up.
I then go to the bread store and get four loaves of bread for a couple dollars which is usually gone by the time I get there to the food pantry. If you need to go to the food bank, chose one that you can go to more than once a year. I cook and eat for a week with what I get from the food bank.
The government also sends Army and USDA food to banks all over the world. I eat three times a day with the help of the food bank and going to a couple of soup kitchens for lunch. You also meet people and date more men that way too. I met a single father and daughter at a soup kitchen. We had a lovely lunch and family date, so to speak. Just eating food is what matters without it you die. I would rather shove my pride down and take free food that is offered than starve.
I think that this is an excellent motto that I want everyone to copy if they need it. This is my tip: Use the food banks and soup kitchen if you need them. That is what they are there for, you.
By Tanya from Moorhead, MN
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
The church where I attend allows folks to come for food every 2 weeks. By all means check with your local churches.
Post by badwater
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
I live in the Fort Worth area of Texas. There are a number of churchs and ministries that offer food to low income families.
I am 73 years of age and widowed. About 3 of the food bank places have a lot of bread. I have not bought bread in months.
I take a friend who does not drive also. I use a lot of powdered milk in many ways.I use it also for my cereal. I use a cup of powdered milk in a half gallon water with about 1 /4 cup powdered creamer and 1 sweet packet,and let set and chill bfore serving.These places give canned chicken, as well as occasionally a frozen chicken, canned tuna, and other canned goods and lots of pasta and rice, dried pinto beans. One gives frozen chicken pieces and weiners.We do not have a soup kitchen that I know of. Just the night shelters for the homeless. They are not in a reputable part of town.I don't usually have to purchase too many groceries. From my childhood,I know how to stretch money.In our area when we are in real dire straights, we are told to call 211. It is First Call for Help. Hope this helps.
Post By NetaM (Guest Post)
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
My husband is 73 and has just lost his part time job(2 days a week) I am turning 65 Dec 1st and am physically unable to work. This puts us in a bind financially,as he has diabetes and I am full of arthritis.We are not sure how we are going to fare, but feel he should no longer have to work. I am a thrifty person which should help some. He tends to be a spend thrift which will have to change if we are to stay above board financially. Any hints on ways to cut back would be greatly appreciated. Judy(bjptl)
ps: any thrifty meal ideas would be great too!
Post by bjptl
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
I think it's really important that we all have free access to the internet, regardless of income. It's not just games. It's email for employers to reach you and free classes and information and job help and connections with friends and family.
I know how it is to not have much money. In our area we have SHARE, a monthly food distribution program, and a food pantry in a low-income neighborhood. Churches have overnight shelters in the cold months.
Network---people at these places will tell you how other people are making it. You can ask them if they know of any jobs you can do.
And don't let your heat get turned off--talk to your utility company now and find out how you can get help paying your heating bill. It's a big help.
Use the internet to learn new skills and improve yourself. It'll help you feel better about your situation and will give you hope that things will get better. With skills, you can help yourself and others.
And don't forget, Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming and that's when people remember those who need some help.
Post by Jantoo
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
Call all of your local churches and find out which ones have food pantries. I was surprised by all the churches in my town that have food pantries. Most if them you can go to once a month and so if you go to all of them you get lots of food! You can only get food once a week at most of them here, so every week or so you can go to a new church to get food. I have all of the food pantries written down on index cards and the date I went there, so I know it all easily. Hope this helps!
Post by crys7881
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
hi my hubby and i are both disabled and we just can't make ends meat.i go to the food banks and we get commaditeis and we get 41 dollors in food stamps.i am a very thrifty person i mean i go in and get my recept and i save more then i spend 90 % of the time. our food bink alowws 1 time a month for 2 months then you have to mis a month.i live in kalamazoo MI. and i need to find out more if there is any one else in the area that helps us more. the money we get is a joke! we are sapose to live on 900 amonth with alll the things put together. our rent is 450 a month and then we have to get food cloths and everything else that a person needs. our house is falling down around us and we can't fix anything we have gone 4 years with not heat becues thr heater broke down and is un fixable.we get our money and it is gone two days max.i am getting very deprssed i donot care what i do it is not enough.i just am at the end of my rope and we just got a new wellfare worker that will not help us and i have to go aboce her head all the time.i would like any help i can get as far as places around here to call and get help. any ideas write me at tlcdsfit@Yahoo.com please darcey
Post by tlcdsfit
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
These stories are heartbreaking. I think we should reprioritize our free programs.If we can supply free internet services (in our area through the library) for you to even post these tips..it seems that making sure there is enough food is more important! It makes me worry even more about the elderly that wouldnt have a clue how to surf the net or are unemployable because of health and age. We need to change this.
Post By Kate (Guest Post)
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
I know you say you live on a fixed amount of money have you ever tried the www.angelfoodministries.com they have a good food program that you can use your food stamp on also try looking on www.freecycle.com for your area there might be a church that gives food out i know of a few churchs around here that once a month they give away food to those that need the extra food . hope this helps
Post By jeanie howard (Guest Post)
RE: Eating on a Limited Income
i agree and i do. tho i work the night 1 of the food banks is open so i cant get to that one as much as i would like. the other 1 i can only go to 1 x a month in the morning. so far i can get there because school has been closed 1 day out of the month. yes i do still buy milk, fresh vegs and fruit and toilet paper and kleenx. blessings to you. sandysheep 1 @yahoo.com if you want to talk
Post by sandy63
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