Help With Food
On average, food is the second highest household expense (rent or mortgage is first). Extra help with the expense of food, may allow extra money for electric, heat, gas, etc. First things first; open up your phone book and see what churches are in your local area. I learned most of them have food banks and do give out food packages out every other week. They don’t give much, but it sure does help. Also, a local Women Abuse Center and Catholic Social Services usually gives out food packages as well. Thanksgiving and Christmas time: People are the MOST generous around these two holidays, so don’t turn down any packages offered to your family...even if you already have one. Sounds terrible, I know, but this is survival and no joke. This is the time to stock up and come January or February, you will grateful you did. This is just from my own personal experience and just my own opinion. Like most single mothers, sometimes you have to go without eating so your kids can eat. You kinda get used to the feeling after a while :) Poor families eat lots (and LOTS) of spaghetti or mac and cheese. Point is, food is one of our hurdles, but most places (local, county, state) like to help with food. It makes them feel good to help and it feels good to have food in the house...it’s the utilities that’s the hard part. We need the utilites to cook the food. If someone ever asks what they can do to help, they can write a check (or money order-they usually dont help with cash) to your electric or heating company. Again, thats a rare offer, so dig into that phone book and start calling. ChurchesMost churches have food banks or give gift certificates out (to local stores)...more then usual around Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Call them all and ask how you can sign up for these. Sign up to all of them, and as many as you can.FOOD STAMPSWhere I live, these nasty things are no longer paper, but a credit card looking thing and used in much the same way that a debit card is. The amount entered is automatically deducted from your account with Social Services. For those whom have ever had the pleasure of these things you know exactly what I am talking about. Most people don’t realize that food stamps don’t pay for things like, laundry/dish det, toilet paper, toothpaste, or tylenol. If you cant eat it, food stamps wont allow it.You can buy a CASE of cupcakes, but not tylenol or diapers for your baby. I don’t understand it, but there it is. As for me, with four children and myself, I was over qualified for any welfare, with an income of $12,000. Per year. That’s right, I was OVER qualified. But we did qualify for a partial amount of food stamps. I forget the amount, but it was something around twenty dollars I think. Wow, I thought, I sold my pride for twenty bucks...LOL I know the looks people give you when in line, they think your just living off of them (the taxpayers). Its aweful sometimes. I know the hours you have to sit at the welfare office, the way they dig into every aspect of your personal life, etc…but you simply have to for the sake of your kids. I have no idea what your states guidelines are, so again, open up that phone book or call information. CouponsThese little babies do wonders for the grocery bill. Problem is, we cant afford the newspaper. Ask your neighbors, friends (or family if they help) to save the coupon section of the paper or clip them out of magazines. Yes, I know, they are for all of the name brand goods…which are usually twice the price of store brands. But, if you patiently wait until they go on sale, you can making a killing in savings, and bring home the ‘good stuff’. Go to the stores that "double" the coupons. In my house, groceries are like xmas time; the kids get all excited, grab apples, and help put everything away. Ahhhh…there is nothing like the feeling of raking the store over the coals with coupons *wink*If you belong to a church, ask about starting a 'coupon swap' program; where all members of the church bring in coupons they don't use, and put them into a box..they can donate them or swap them. This way, everyone gets the coupons they need...including you. Produce or wholesale storesYes, I know, we don’t even have the gas money to run around to all of these places. Most of us don't even have a vehicle (or running one) so check with a neighbor or friend who goes. Find out if you can catch a ride with them and give them a couple of bucks for gas. The savings are great if you have a local produce store that sells 3lbs of bananas for $1 and a huge bag of apples for $2. Talk to everyone, find out where the best food deals are. If these places require a membership card, borrow it or go with your friend; divvy up later.Bulk or Wholesale StoresOk, we all have seen or been to these stores. They are huge stores that sell things in bulk. Its a great idea and if you know your prices, you will do well.Most of these bulk stores DO NOT accept coupons. Also most of these places require a membership. When there, you say "Wow, great price" when you see that case of juice or package of food items. First things first, break down how many items are in that case, thus, how much the cost is per item. If you do this, you will find that some of these 'bargains' are really NOT bargains at all. So shop carefully, know your prices and you will help your family by being an informed consumer. MilkSince I have a large family, we use about a gallon of milk a day. No, I do not allow them to drink milk when thirsty, for I am not in that position. I make sure they have milk with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Thats it.Where I live, milk is about $3.20 per gallon. To find out my monthly average of cost of milk, I simply take that amount and times it by 7...that would be $22.4, then times it by 4.33 (for there are not four weeks in every month)..and that would be $96.992. Ball park, we spend about $97.00 per month on milk, give or take a gallon or two. If you have very small children, there are state programs to help with milk, cheese, peanutbutter, etc. The program is called WIC. Look in your phone book for it, and if you can't find it, call your county main number and ask for it or any program that can help. Every bit helps. FarmsWhere I live, there are lots of farms within close driving range, so I can take advantage of the benefits.Find out the harvest times of each product (for some farms plant just one food group). Such as; when the peach farmers have harvest, there is always a surplus. He has to earn a living, so he has to ask for a price per pound. I buy these peaches by the bushel (in a huge basket). Its cheaper, and my family can have fruit for next to nothing per pound. Make no mistake about it, fresh fruit is worth a drive...and I freeze the extra. To find out how you can freeze produce, borrow a book from the library to find out the proper steps. Veg's, blueberries, peaches...all fresh. Go back to my home page and see if there is anything else that may help. |
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