Food Banks are Awesome! Day 5

It's a new year. It's time for change. I made a mistake, and now I'm dealing with the consequences that follow. Money's devastatingly tight and, at times, painful. I make just enough $ for rent and debt. I no longer can afford to take the bus. I've been handwashing some of my clothes. I used to buy household and personal care products months ahead of time, so I had an extra season's worth of supplies. I was taking food from work, and that's how I've been keeping myself nourished. It shouldn't be like this.

I was hurting so bad that I was running out of basic hygiene products. As my supply was running low, a really good friend of mine arrived with a care package filled with Costco sized stuff like dried cranberries, apple juice, pineapple juice, top ramen, pop tarts, canned goods, beef jerky, shampoos, conditioners, body wash, etc! I'm so fortunate to have such amazing friends. Another close friend of mine transferred some $ into my account, too. My boyfriend's been doing a lot for me, too, and not just by feeding me (although we all know that's a community effort!)

They've all done so much for me. I may not like the situation I'm in, but all I can do is make the best of it. I'm not too proud, nor ashamed to accept free food when I need it. But I wasn't aware of the resources available to me. I strongly hate it when my friends give me money, though, because I feel that it isn't their responsibility to help me. I understand that I'd do the same for them, but it still bothers me. I used to believe that if I took advantage of these kind of services it would take away from other people who need the food more than me. I also felt like if I don't "need" it or have sustained myself without it that I must not need it. That's a major flaw in my logic that many people have diligently worked hard clarifying for me. Thank you for all your efforts!

It was brought to my attention that if the food isn't given away, it gets thrown out. So as my guilt subsided, I became curious and gradually interested in these offers. Today I went to a food bank and was surprised by how lenient, efficient, and generous this organization is. I got a cart full of food, and I'm allowed to return once a week. I was given three tokens I can use to take the bus, but even with transportation, I can't possibly carry everything back by myself. So I was permitted to take the cart with me if I return it, which I did.

I'm so grateful because the job market is so tight that I'm unlikely to find a good paying job that allows me to live in a place I'd like to be. I'm unable to save money and anything that doesn't go to rent inadequately feeds me. That's no way to survive. It's a way to survive but not by much. That's the kind of lifestyle that depresses people. I don't want to sustain that.

By taking advantage of the resources available to me, I can save some money. Hopefully I can pay off my debt. I can afford such luxuries like wanting to live on my own. All I can hope to do now is improve the situation I'm in now, and the food bank has offered me that. Here's some foods I can eat now.

1) Mac and cheese with tomato soup

2) Apples and butter

3) Chili and Potatoes

4) Pork and Rice

5) Snacks like yogurt and milk

6) So much bread!

7) Apple Pie

8) Cheese and Bread

9) Cereal and Milk

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