Using a food pantry - Page 2

[Attila the Honey]

Originally Posted by Sharlla

Food pantries are pretty hit or miss. Some months you got a lot and good stuff too and some months not a whole lot. As a low income person I go when I have a need to go. Like I am broke with no food in the house, but I don't go every month.

If I remember correctly the max income limit for a family of 4 was $2100/month. If you got foodstamps they added that to your income amount.

The one I called said $2200 for a family of 3! I was shocked, because usually when it comes to any sort of help we make just a little too much to qualify.

Thanks everyone!

[buckeye_bebe]

Have you thought about the larger karmic picture? Maybe you take a free or low-cost food box for a few months, and in return, you offer volunteer services. Maybe you pack boxes, answer calls, and pick up donations. Maybe you organize a community-wide effort to paint their building, build new shelves, and convince Kraft foods to donate 2 tons of food per month. What if, through your success with the food pantry, you were able to solicit personal care items, such as toothpaste, tampons, and toilet paper for women fleeing domestic violence, and inspire a local Girl Scout troop to do the same? What if the boy scouts become jealous of the girl scouts, and battle the girl scouts in a contest of who can donate the most socks and coats?

What if you saved enough money to earn interest on the savings, and ceased all entertainment spending, which gave you a few more dollars of spending money for an emergency or braces or a new furnace, and all those donations you picked up and boxed fed more people per month than the one box you use. What if you re-donated all the items you were not interested in and another family was thrilled to have extra.

Maybe you meet someone at the food pantry who becomes a terrific friend, and your family takes turns hosting each other for Sunday dinner. Maybe your children become involved in philanthropic endeavors and they learn that it is OK to ask for help when you need it, maybe they mentor someone who will later become the next great inventor, innovator, leader.

What if you and your community ensure that no person should ever go hungry, even if a food pantry did not exist? Would you share your last bag of rice with your neighbor's child? I bet you would. I bet you would pay it forward, even if wasn't the last bag of rice.

[dharmamama]

Originally Posted by Attila the Honey

Thoughts? Give it to me straight.

I used to volunteer at a food pantry and, honestly, when we had clients in your situation come in, it gave us fits. We were constantly scraping for more (and decent quality) food to have on hand to give to people who really needed it and when people came in who didn't actually need the food, it absolutely, 100%, no-doubt-about-it took food from people who needed it. By the end of the month, we were down to giving people boxed mashed potatoes and canned beets ... the meat and vegetables had already been taken earlier in the month, some of it by people who qualified but didn't actually need it.

I'm not trying to pick on you ... you said give it to you straight. You give yourselves $50 a month fun money, and for many families, that's half (or more) of their food budget for the month.

If I were you, I would NOT use the pantry. At least where I live, pantries are not insurance against possible future calamity. They are last-ditch stop-gap measures for people who are already having emergencies.

dm

[ediesmom]

Originally Posted by buckeye_bebe

Have you thought about the larger karmic picture? Maybe you take a free or low-cost food box for a few months, and in return, you offer volunteer services. Maybe you pack boxes, answer calls, and pick up donations. Maybe you organize a community-wide effort to paint their building, build new shelves, and convince Kraft foods to donate 2 tons of food per month. What if, through your success with the food pantry, you were able to solicit personal care items, such as toothpaste, tampons, and toilet paper for women fleeing domestic violence, and inspire a local Girl Scout troop to do the same? What if the boy scouts become jealous of the girl scouts, and battle the girl scouts in a contest of who can donate the most socks and coats?

What if you saved enough money to earn interest on the savings, and ceased all entertainment spending, which gave you a few more dollars of spending money for an emergency or braces or a new furnace, and all those donations you picked up and boxed fed more people per month than the one box you use. What if you re-donated all the items you were not interested in and another family was thrilled to have extra.

Maybe you meet someone at the food pantry who becomes a terrific friend, and your family takes turns hosting each other for Sunday dinner. Maybe your children become involved in philanthropic endeavors and they learn that it is OK to ask for help when you need it, maybe they mentor someone who will later become the next great inventor, innovator, leader.

What if you and your community ensure that no person should ever go hungry, even if a food pantry did not exist? Would you share your last bag of rice with your neighbor's child? I bet you would. I bet you would pay it forward, even if wasn't the last bag of rice.

now, that's what i'm talking about. Solidarity!

I think I love you, buckeye bebe

[Valian]

It sounds like there is a lot of variation out there so why not make a few phone calls? It would be totally annoymous and you could tell them what you told us.
- You qualify well within their income limits
- You do have a few $$ to your name and some food in the house, but..
- Need to free up some of your $ to pay utilities etc.

Then, the food bank can say, you know we run out of food every month, OR, come on in we have plenty right now and can also help you sign up for heating assistance.

[shayinme]

Originally Posted by dharmamama

I used to volunteer at a food pantry and, honestly, when we had clients in your situation come in, it gave us fits. We were constantly scraping for more (and decent quality) food to have on hand to give to people who really needed it and when people came in who didn't actually need the food, it absolutely, 100%, no-doubt-about-it took food from people who needed it. By the end of the month, we were down to giving people boxed mashed potatoes and canned beets ... the meat and vegetables had already been taken earlier in the month, some of it by people who qualified but didn't actually need it.

I'm not trying to pick on you ... you said give it to you straight. You give yourselves $50 a month fun money, and for many families, that's half (or more) of their food budget for the month.

If I were you, I would NOT use the pantry. At least where I live, pantries are not insurance against possible future calamity. They are last-ditch stop-gap measures for people who are already having emergencies.

dm

: Like DM I used to be the director at a shelter that also had a community food pantry and IMO the pantry should be the last stop, for when you have no way to eat. We had some clients as well that did what you were proposing and the result was it took away from those who truly had no options. It is my understanding now that many pantries are strapped as more and more folks are needing them, so while I truly understand the desire to have that emergency fund get built up, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable going that route. That said I think buckeye-bebe's ideas are really nice, if you have the time. At my old shelter, volunteers were able to eat a meal so I can't see why those ideas wouldn't work.

Shay

[kijip]

I volunteer at a food bank and I also run a family support charity. Honestly, I totally disagree with those that say you should not use the assistance. You qualify for a reason. At your income level, in your area, based on COL estimates used by the food bank board and staff, folks making your income need help with food and basic costs. They have set their mission and policies to serve families in your income bracket. If they are turning families away, they need to get more food or cut back their scope a little and lower the income bracket. Also, while I am sure there are places where the is a shortage of food, that is not the case all places. At the food bank I volunteer at they have food they have to drive to other banks so it can be used before it expires. Families can get food 1 time per week and it is enough for 3-4 meals. Plus families can get a bag of staples on a drop in basis that is enough food for 2 days in addition to their weekly food bank card. Most families here qualify to use more than 1 food bank too. A lot of our lowest income clients take very little of the stuff we offer, often scorning the healthiest food options. Further many of the lowest income families, get the most food stamps so they may actually have less of a need for food that a family making too much to get state help- in the $2000-3000 range. Seattle is a pricey area and you are worse off making that much money sometimes than if you are only get state assistance and you have a housing voucher and food stamps. When a family trying to make a better situation for themselves comes through and actually wants more than the prepared junk foods and desserts, it is a welcome breath of fresh air. Those are the families that keep me coming back to volunteer in fact.

[BlueZBlue]

Honestly I don't have a good answer, because I guess it depends on your particular food bank. At the food where I used to volunteer, we would have told you to come on over. Then again, we didn't set a minimum income requirement (but it was in a remote, poor part of the country where lots of people were low income). I ate food from the food bank myself. The food we had was generally very processed and fattening. Canned fruits and meats we actually bought out of the food bank budget sometimes, and these were always in short supply. Canned veggies tended to be store brand and in very short supply. Many foods were often out of date. If you're in a position where these types of foods actually seem appealing, then you might just be in the financial situation where using the food bank is a good choice.

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by Natsuki

<SNIP>
And then pay it forward whenver possible .

I think this is the key. Always be willing to take help when it's there but also always be willing to give it when you can.

Good Luck, Mama.

[Attila the Honey]

Originally Posted by dharmamama

I used to volunteer at a food pantry and, honestly, when we had clients in your situation come in, it gave us fits. We were constantly scraping for more (and decent quality) food to have on hand to give to people who really needed it and when people came in who didn't actually need the food, it absolutely, 100%, no-doubt-about-it took food from people who needed it.

But, but, but... my situation is that I am hundreds under the income limit and struggling. Honestly, we are never without food but that's because I make food a priority, I get our groceries first. We have been without a working car, or heat etc.

I'm not trying to pick on you ... you said give it to you straight. You give yourselves $50 a month fun money,

Yes, I did say that we did that when we can afford it. Which is very rarely. I mentioned it in the spirit of being straight with everyone, but usually our entertainment is a free movie from the library and a $5 (or homemade) pizza.

I know $50 is some people's monthly food budget, believe me I know! My dh doesn't call me "The Queen of Beans" for nothing.

Here's the update:

I called the pantry and they said they had no food this month, so I thought "oh forget it, I'd better not use them" and started looking for other ways to ease our budget. Then I talked to a friend and she told me that they don't do the food pantry in November and December, instead they do baskets and to call again.

I called again and asked if they were actually OUT of food or just don't do the pantry this month and the woman on the phone told me the latter. I talked to her a bit about our situation and she said we are exactly who the food pantry is for and told me to come in to sign up for a basket. She said what a PP mentioned - ppl who are lower income tend to get food stamps and that we are in that working poor range.

Thanks for your input everyone.

And buckeye_bebe, thank you especially. That was really motivating and freed up a lot of my misgivings.

[kijip]

I am glad you are getting a basket.

Just so you know, I don't think that paying your utility bills on time or having money for co-pays is a luxury or wiggle room. It is breathing space so you don't have to live in a state of constant stress over if you can afford to fill the prescription or turn up the heat a little on a cold night.

It can be hard to accept help. You should feel good about be willing to do this. I hope it helps your family a lot.

[JesseMomme]

I'm glad you went for it! You get a lot of pantry stuff, and I see nothing wrong with a good stocked up pantry, something will be there when you really need it, and you'll spend less at the store for food to go with it as opposed to buying everything at the store.

[dharmamama]

I didn't mean to be hard on you, OP. Your situation as described in your OP didn't sound all that dire. In fact, it sounded a lot like ours. I scrimp for medication costs and buy food first so that we don't run out of money before I go grocery shopping.

I'm glad you found something that worked for you.

dm

[Attila the Honey]

Originally Posted by dharmamama

I didn't mean to be hard on you, OP. Your situation as described in your OP didn't sound all that dire. In fact, it sounded a lot like ours. I scrimp for medication costs and buy food first so that we don't run out of money before I go grocery shopping.

I'm glad you found something that worked for you.

dm

I don't feel you were hard on me, I appreciate your perspective!

[captain crunchy]

Originally Posted by buckeye_bebe

Have you thought about the larger karmic picture? Maybe you take a free or low-cost food box for a few months, and in return, you offer volunteer services. Maybe you pack boxes, answer calls, and pick up donations. Maybe you organize a community-wide effort to paint their building, build new shelves, and convince Kraft foods to donate 2 tons of food per month. What if, through your success with the food pantry, you were able to solicit personal care items, such as toothpaste, tampons, and toilet paper for women fleeing domestic violence, and inspire a local Girl Scout troop to do the same? What if the boy scouts become jealous of the girl scouts, and battle the girl scouts in a contest of who can donate the most socks and coats?

What if you saved enough money to earn interest on the savings, and ceased all entertainment spending, which gave you a few more dollars of spending money for an emergency or braces or a new furnace, and all those donations you picked up and boxed fed more people per month than the one box you use. What if you re-donated all the items you were not interested in and another family was thrilled to have extra.

Maybe you meet someone at the food pantry who becomes a terrific friend, and your family takes turns hosting each other for Sunday dinner. Maybe your children become involved in philanthropic endeavors and they learn that it is OK to ask for help when you need it, maybe they mentor someone who will later become the next great inventor, innovator, leader.

What if you and your community ensure that no person should ever go hungry, even if a food pantry did not exist? Would you share your last bag of rice with your neighbor's child? I bet you would. I bet you would pay it forward, even if wasn't the last bag of rice.

This is just awesome.


Our food bank works a bit differently and part of that is why I don't feel at all guilty using it or like I am taking food from "more deserving" people. Firstly, we do qualify for it financially, and while we acknowledge that others have less, we also need help.

Ours works like a grocery store, with aisles and cashiers and everything. The organization (I believe it is a church run situation) solicits donations, scratch and dent, things about to expire in a few days, dry goods that may be a week or two over their *best by* date, which with things like flour, crackers, pasta really has never made a difference. They get A LOT of donations from health food stores, I know this for a fact because I am utterly amazed at all the organic, all natural things we have been able to get at drastically reduced prices.

They charge for the food at a very reduced price (for instance, a gluten free bread mix that I know for a fact is around $5 in a hfs is about a dollar there) and they pool the money they make and put it back out, minus of course administrative costs like keeping the electric on, registers running, trucks on the road to pick up the stuff) and the rest of the money they make is used to help families in need (the ones who can't even afford the reduced food price, they give it for free), rent assistance, etc... they are non-profit of course and really help the community. They have a *dairy* card too which entitles you to free milk/eggs once a week and they give free bread. We don't utilize the eggs or milk because we know others need that more and (for now) we are able to budget for dd's raw milk (dh and I aren't allowed to drink milk at those prices lol)

I know other food bank situations are a lot worse, but ours really tries to keep dignity involved, even though it is a bit *shabbier* they really try to recreate a grocery store type experience. The only thing they restrict is the free bread/milk/eggs but are generous about that -- and they do give groceries for free to people who are seriously not able to pay the reduced prices.

[Rebecca]

I think you should do it. There's no shame in wanting to help your family and if that means keeping an emergency account, by goodness sake, that is NOT a luxury. It's a necessity. You're savvy enough to put $25 a week aside, or however much you're saving with the pantry supplements, and soon you'll have a rainy day fund, which you NEED.

They should be nonjudgmental and quite helpful. Each one is run a bit differently, but they all WANT to help people who need it. And you need it.

And outdated foods? Heck, I have that in my cupboard. Not only the poor people have 'expired' canned peaches and TVP and refried beans in their cabinet! And I'll still eat it! Wasting good food is a true crime.

[dealic]

I have been following this thread and I am glad you called and signed up. It can be hard to accept help, especially when you know there are people who need it more than you. Don't let that make you feel guilty for also needing help. To me, if you have to choose between food and heat, you need it. I hope you get a wonderful basket of delicious goodies.

[1growingsprout]

Im glad you were able to get an answer and hopefully this will allow your family some $$ to get caught up on other bills... there is nothing wrong w. using a food bank...