Post #2304018

2026-05-09 18:17 UTC

It's extremely difficult to get food stamps (SNAP) if you're not taking care of children and you live somewhere where the minimum wage is over federal. However, if you can't afford food, (or you can't afford to live if you do buy food) and you have spare time, it's worth it to check out your local food bank or food pantry. They frequently get food that is very close to the expiration date, so like, if you don't feel deserving enough? Remember: it goes in the trash if nobody takes it home.

Replies (4)

@pencilears@mastodon.eternalaugust.com 2026-05-09 18:20

The trouble with struggling and feeling like you have to rely on other people's generosity to survive, is that begging other people to care about you over and over again destroys your sense of agency and self worth. Being able to go to the food bank and come home with an armful of greens and rice (or whatever they have today) is restorative to that sense of being able to do something about your problems.

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@keisisqrl@mastodon.eternalaugust.com 2026-05-09 20:04

@pencilears@mastodon.eternalaugust.com I remember when I volunteered at a food bank for a bit they basically begged volunteers to take certain foods home if they weren't taken

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@IcooIey@mastodon.green 2026-05-09 21:13

@pencilears@mastodon.eternalaugust.com in Connecticut, we’ve got Mobile Foodshare, too that comes to town every two weeks with a semi full of food that’s distributed. A lot of veg and dairy. Anyone can show up to get a share, no sign up or id required. The truck goes to different towns on different days, too.

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@pws@social.coop 2026-05-09 21:25

@pencilears@mastodon.eternalaugust.com I've worked with three food shelves in Vermont (never the state food bank, just the local distribution places). They vary a lot in terms of who they allow to shop, but anyone showing up in an emergency situation is offered food even if they don't technically qualify. One of them requires evidence of living in the town (such as a piece of mail, no ID required), one does the same but also asks you to attest to your income and family size but does not ask for any proof, and one asks almost nothing. Even when residency evidence is requested, if someone says they are camping or living in a car, there is no way they are leaving without as much food as we can provide. But the message I have for anyone struggling to get food is go to the food shelf and ask. The people working at the food shelves I have volunteered at all want to help everyone. That is why they are there.

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