I need help obtaining groceries
Hi. I've been a member of vegweb from a while, but I'm not active on the forums. However need some advice.
I'm really struggling financially right now. I make $2.13/hr plus tips at a beer and pizza pub type place. Th business is so slow right now I don't know how they remain open. But I live in an economically depressed area and don't have tons of options as far as employment.
Anyway, I need help buying food. But I don't know what to do. I don't know who can help. I did the food stamp calulator and it says I can get like $75/month in help. BUT I have heard of people, usually single people with no dependants like myself, being told could get foods stamps then waiting 3 hours at social services and being told they can't get anything.
Meanwhile I'm hungry a lot. I'm not going to starve, but I'm not eating well. Food is expensive really. At least healthy food. I don't have a microwave and I don't like to use the oven/stove too much because it runs up the power bill.
Does anyone have any advice, like who I could tun to?
Or does anyone have any tips on getting food stamps?
Food banks, local church groups, check to see if there's a food not bombs group near you. But really, if you're unwilling to cook, you're going to find it difficult eating healthy on the cheap.
If it were me, a 3 hour wait is worth it just for the off chance you are approved. In many places if you qualify for food stamps, you qualify for other programs that help discount your utilities and medical bills. So it is worth trying.
Right, but cooking cost money too. I mean I worked 6 hours yesterday and made $16. I am willing to cook, but I can't afford to keep the stove on for long periods of time.
I have heard that about being on food stamps and getting other assistance.
I'm going to google "food not bombs". Thanks.
do you make under $1100 a month? that is the cut off her in TN for food stamps. You wll have to wait awhile, but if yo request an 8:00 appt, it won't be so bad.
Yeah I claim under $1000 a month.
also, be prepared, have 2 months of check stubs, ID, ss card, electric bill, phone bill, proof of banking, proof of how much your rent is.
How do you prove what your rent is?
either bring a copy of your lease, a mortgage statement, a letter from your landlord
There is a Food Not Bombs in my area. Looks like they run a pantry too.
see if there is an Angels of ministry too.
Wait you worked 6 hours and only made $16? Aren't you legally required to make minimum wage in places where you work for tips?
Also, I'm not sure why the oven and stove are running your electric bills up. I used mine fairly heavily (well, the oven not so much) and never paid more than $15 or $20 a month for my electric bill.
I've heard about Angel Food ministries before, but they aren't located in a lot of places. Definitely look into food banks, there's bound to be one or several in your area.
I guess if all else fails you can dumpster dive for food, but that could be illegal where you live so you might get arrested.
It sucks to go hungry, I hope you can find some help soon.
Yeah, if I don't claim enough to make to make minimum wage by the end of the week, then my employer will have to make up the difference. We claim 12% of our food sells.
Angel Food Ministries is here and they have a vegatable and fruit box for $22. Honeslty, I didn't think it was a great deal. Plus no protein?
I've actually done the dumpster dive thing. Not sure if it is legal or not. It is certainly an option.
go ahead and set up an apt for food stamps. When and if you get approved, it usually only takes a week to get your ebt card. In the meantime, maybe you can offer to help out at a food bank in exchange for food
I wasn't even aware until now that you could set up an appointment at social services. Yeah, I'm going to call food banks maybe the Salvation Army too. I know beggars can't be choosers, but is it okay to mention the vegetarian thing? I mean, I can't accept meat I won't eat. I would be thankful for anything donated of course, I don't want to come off as ungrateful.
What I recommend you do is simply go through the box/bag they may give you and tell them to give the meat products to another person in need
I know you don't like cooking, so here is a cheap alternative - if you have a crock pot, dig it out. If you don't have one, I'm sure you can find one super cheap at a second hand store or a friend or I know target sells a little one for like $10 (although I know you don't have any extra money to be spending right now). Once you have one, start making soup! Seriously, all you need is some produce (whatever you can get cheap - I'm an unemployed college student so usually for me its just potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, frozen peas and corn, and canned beans). You can make a lot a once and eat leftovers for a few days. And I think it heard once that the amount of electricity a crock pot uses is like two cents and hour or something ridiculously cheap.
I'm praying for you. I know how much it sucks to not have enough money for groceries.
Hi lauranc ~
Sorry you're going through some hungry times right now. I agree with all of the suggestions. The worst they can tell you is no, so try all of the options. Programs are there to help.... please use them. I've seen a lot of people abuse 'the system'. You need the help... get it! Good luck to you.
Lauren
Lauranc, did you get my personal message? Something weird happened when I hit send, so I'm not sure it went through. Let me know and I will resend it.
I know you don't like cooking, so here is a cheap alternative - if you have a crock pot, dig it out. If you don't have one, I'm sure you can find one super cheap at a second hand store or a friend or I know target sells a little one for like $10 (although I know you don't have any extra money to be spending right now). Once you have one, start making soup! Seriously, all you need is some produce (whatever you can get cheap - I'm an unemployed college student so usually for me its just potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, frozen peas and corn, and canned beans). You can make a lot a once and eat leftovers for a few days. And I think it heard once that the amount of electricity a crock pot uses is like two cents and hour or something ridiculously cheap.
I'm praying for you. I know how much it sucks to not have enough money for groceries.
Spot on. Soup is the cheapest and easiest food to make, and delicious as well.
Hope things work out for you.
maybe some of us could do care packages, or maybe send a few dollars? it would add up! who's with me? If we are going to be helping people, it might as well be our vegweb friends. I know Hanashi probably could use some help too. I'm kinda poor right now, but I can do something. Are you on facebook? I don't think I can send messages on vw, but try to find me on fb.
Would both of you be ok with this? Let me know, you could give me your addresses, and people that are interested could message me privately.
Are you on facebook? I don't think I can send messages on vw, but try to find me on fb.
just an FYI that everyone can now send private messages through vegweb - there's a little message icon next to the blue 'view profile' one under everyone's name in a thread...
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