Have You Ever Lacked Food?

**staceyy** · 03-30-2009, 10:29 PM

I thankfully have always had adequate food but I know that not everyone has. If you lost your source of income, how would you feed your family? Would you apply for food stamps first or go to a food bank? Would you go to Angel Food Ministries, hunt or fish? Are you preparing now by stockpiling, gardening or farming? I ask because I have several friends who lost their jobs and thought they would get food stamps. Their unemployment checks were too high and they did not qualify. I've heard of others who went to food banks and the food banks had run out, severely limited what they distributed, or had closed their doors. I stockpile, garden and use Angel Food Ministries. These methods must be started in advance. I'm just wondering how many of you have given serious thought to this subject?

**jantana** · 03-30-2009, 10:45 PM

There was a time we were down to our last can of spinach, there were 4 of us and one on the way. My husband had lost his job, which I thought he would always have. Things worked out, we did get emergency food stamps. But from that moment on I vowed we would never be in that situation again. That has been years ago, children grown now and my husband and I do foster care. So making the buck stretch as far as it can is often a challenge. I stockpile. The way things are going, you never know when you won't be able to get to a store. We live in southeast Texas and about 10 years ago we had a severe ice storm and almost everything around had no electricity. Thank God (and I do daily) for the stockpile. We went through that time with no worries. I am so glad I found this sight for all the wisdom I have come across. I like to find new ways of getting things, where to look for free coupons and just some good old fashion common sense to get us through tough times that we may encounter.

**Pianolady** · 03-30-2009, 11:02 PM

We have been pretty darn close, but I can't say we've gone hungry. There have been times when we've cleaned out the couch and the pockets of all our coats to go buy a gallon of milk and loaf of bread.....but somehow we've always found the money.

**Persimmon Lace** · 03-30-2009, 11:17 PM

What Pianolady said! But we also had something not everyone else has and that is a great family network. We would not have gone hungry. But we would have had to be down to one bean before we would have asked, not because they would have held it against us but because we believed we needed to do for ourselves.

**Tnmom** · 03-30-2009, 11:27 PM

Right after DS was born, my DD then 5 fell and broke her leg. There was no way that I could return to work. I called to see about Food Stamps, explained the situation and that as soon as I could I would return to work and be off the stamps. We only needed help for a little while.
I was told that we didn't qualify because my car was 3 years old. I could sell the car and get help. But then I wouldn't be able to return to work. Not her problem.
Somehow we made it, yes there were nights when Hubby I went to bed a little hungry but the kids were taken care of. Neighbors helped us out when we most needed it..
And I hope to never be in that position again...

**marjorie** · 03-30-2009, 11:33 PM

Yes. Down to the last can of beans, but at least my daughter ate. Divorced the fellow who put me there as a long term solution, ate friend's leftovers and whatever I could scrouge short term.

**madhen** · 03-30-2009, 11:50 PM

When I first moved out on my own, I left with pretty much just the clothes on my back. Before I was able to catch up, income-wise, there were months of extremely lean times. I remember counting the bologna in the package and rationing out 1/2 slice per day (and forget about bread or cheese) until the next pay day.

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-31-2009, 12:13 AM

There were some nights I went to bed hungry when I was younger and single and barely scraping by on two part time jobs. Jobs come and go. I have been on food stamps twice, once when I was single and work was scarce, and once after I got married and DH lost his job and a few other events beyond our control put us in a very bad place. Even then I had a stockpile of sorts and we did not want for food.

I now have a larger stockpile, though it is a bit low now since DH was out of work over the winter. We did not get to the point where we had to apply for foodstamps before he got a new position. I still have about 4 months worth of food frozen.

IMO food is one of the easiest necessities to get when you are down and out. There are food banks, food stamp programs, places like Angel Foods willing to help, soup kitchens, etc. It is MUCH harder to get help with an electric bill, or rent, car repairs, medical bills, and any of the other really important things you still have to pay when you have no income.

**Palooka** · 03-31-2009, 02:14 AM

If I did lack food and really needed help, I would call my parents. Seriously.

It's nice to have family.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 03-31-2009, 03:01 AM

I have been homeless living on the streets and have had the hunger literally eating at me. So, yes I have lacked food before.

**Siebrie** · 03-31-2009, 04:00 AM

I could always eat at a relative's or friend's house, it's just my pride that would stop me from asking for help.

When I had just started living on my own and figuring out how to handle a budget, shopping, etc, there was a time that the ATM was out of order and before ATM technology was available in the shops. I sold the one stamp I had in my wallet for 70 cents (40 USD cents) to some passer-by, and used the money to buy 5 carrots and a tiny chicken sausage. Together with the rice I had at home, this made a meal.

I have known some pretty lean times, but have never gone without. Meals sometimes consisted of some strange ingredients, because I happened to have those on hand. Until last year, when I moved, I had an allotment. I loved this allotment, because there would always be plenty food, food that I loved and could share.

**NewLeaf** · 03-31-2009, 07:34 AM

Yes, ex husband would spend all extra money on toys for himself. After 6 yrs I divorced him. But those years have always haunted me and now nothing makes me happier (materialistically) than a cupboard and freezer that are stocked. I feel secure and safe. That is why I started a small stockpile.

**hotprincesscm** · 03-31-2009, 07:39 AM

We went through hard time right before I left my ex. He lost his job, due to his own stupidity...and wouldn't allow me to apply for food stamps...The only job "we" had was mine and it was minimum wage and no matter how many hours I worked it was enough basically to pay our high rent...The kids always had food and my mom helped ME out and bought groceries once for us...But I went for about 3 months of really not eating much because of this situation...I lost 30 pounds! Not a very healthy way to lose 30 pounds I might add!! But since I left him my kids and I have had food stamps and eat very well, thankfully! But I will never be in that situation again...first of all I won't be controlled by ANY man, and secondly...I have been stockpiling so I have a little to fall back on!!

**ConnieD** · 03-31-2009, 09:01 AM

I'm thankful to say that we have never had to go hungry in the past. While growing up I vividly remember a simple story told to me. A story I will never forget and one that spurs me to try and never be in that situation.
During the depression there was a time when my grandparents had no food in the house. My mom's older brother was just little and so very hungry. He asked my grandmother for some food and she had none to give him. He was so hungry he said that he'd even eat a stale, mouldy crust of bread. This broke my grandma's heart and she cried because she didn't even have THAT to give to him.

This story has totally stuck with me and I've vowed to do everything in my control, if possible to not have this ever happen in my home. I have a pretty healthy stockpile. Not as much as I'd like, but probably 6 months worth.
Still working on it because who knows what the future holds as far as job instability goes. If hubby was laid off any time soon (he works for one of the Big 3, so that's a very REAL possibility) at least we'll be able to eat for a while

**The Muse** · 03-31-2009, 09:14 AM

When I was a child, we often didn't have food. I think that's why I'm so petite, my growth was stunted from lack of nutrition.

I'm fortunately in a financial situation now, where I'm pretty sure I'll always be able to feed myself. I also garden and preserve. If I had to, I'd apply for food stamps, but I don't see things coming to that for me.