Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. If you really need help with basic necessities, like food, there are resources around you to help. You only need to put your pride aside and look to see what is out there. Whenever things seem overwhelming financially, I think about the year that I was so broke I had to use a food pantry to meet the needs of my family.
It was over ten years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. My oldest daughter was only a year old and the recession had just hit. My business had been doing extremely well until it wasn’t because people were all of a sudden scared to spend money. My clients had mostly disappeared, and it was frightening. I had a daughter to support. I also had major financial obligations including rent, a car payment, and a lot of other bills. Spending money on food was a struggle for me back then.
I was forced to look around a consider all my options for financial assistance. Surprisingly, I found myself at the local food pantry, which was something I’d never considered before. Raised middle class, I’ve always been very independent, so going this route was difficult for me. I found that it was really not too bad of an experience. It was quite humbling and very real. Food insecurity is all too real.
What I remember most is the people. The people that were working at the food pantry were kind and compassionate and made an extra effort to not make anyone feel bad about being there. A few of the people I encountered there were just normal people like me, who were also down on their luck. The one I remember the most was a man who worked in a tech field who had lost his job and had been living out of his car in local parking lots for months. He came for food assistance on a regular basis.
At this particular food pantry, I had to meet with an employee and fill out a form for the first time. After that, I had to wait my turn. I was then called back into a big room that was set up like a small store. An employee escorted you through the room while you pushed a shopping cart. There was a huge selection of things to choose from! The employee helped to assess my needs and portioned out what I was allowed to take with me. Overall, it was a really simple process to navigate.
I did visit one more time after that. I didn’t have to back again after that, but it was nice to know that it was there if I needed it. That same year, I also applied for and received food stamps.
Looking back, I had a really tough couple of years. Having to use the food bank is only a small part of this experience. It all made me work harder to do better and eventually I go to where I needed to be. Years after this, I helped start a food program at my daughter’s elementary school that sent bags of food home with kids in need each Friday to make sure they had enough to eat over the weekend. I’m not sure that I would have done this if I hadn’t experienced food insecurity myself.
We are sometimes driven to a point in our lives where we have to look around for help. We have to figure out what or who is out there that can help us temporarily until we get back on our feet. There’s no shame in that. You need to do whatever you have to do to provide for yourself and your family. Reach out to those around you. Identify the resources in your community. Look at it all as a temporary thing because a lot of people are right where you are too. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help sometimes. Experiencing hard times builds character. Just continue to work on yourself and work towards becoming financially independent. You’ve got this!
Food Insecurity
You have likely heard the term “food insecurity” before. This simply refers to a situation in which someone does not have enough food or food that is of a good enough quality to meet their basic needs.
What Is a Food Pantry
A food pantry is a place where individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity can go to receive food. Food pantries are stocked by food banks. Food pantries often serve hundreds of people or more each week.
How do You Use a Food Pantry
If you have access to a computer, then Google is a great place to start. If you do not, then check for a list of resources at your local library or health department. I mention these specifically because I have seen local food bank information at both places in my community. You can also check with your church or a guidance counselor at your child’s school. Once you find a local food bank, give them a call or look them up online to see how they operate and what you need to do in order to get services.
Find Your Local Food Bank
Feeding America has a great resource on their website. “The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks and food programs helps millions of people find food and grocery help in their communities every year. Connect with your local food bank to learn about upcoming free food distributions and to apply for national food programs like SNAP and WIC.” Find your local food bank by clicking here.
