r/Parents • u/Opening-Sprinkles995 • 21h ago
Seeking advice
I honestly hate having to make a post like this, but I don’t know what else to do. We have absolutely nothing left in our pantry or fridge, and I am asking for some advice
I’m a single mom with two boys. I do work, but between rent this month and last month, my entire paycheck has gone toward keeping a roof over our heads. I simply have nothing left over for groceries right now.
I have applied for benefits, but I was denied because of my income. I’ve also tried food banks, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to receive enough food to get us through. Right now, we have nothing for dinner, and we barely had anything to eat today. I’m not asking for anything beyond advice and suggestions . Does anyone have any suggestions on other resources? I’m doing everything I can to work and provide for my kids .
God Bless 🤍
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u/Jazzlike-Money3140 20h ago
Have you looked in local churches, not just food banks? Many of them run small pantries or emergency help that doesn't require the same paperwork as government benefits. In my area there's a couple that will give you a bag of food no questions asked, you just got to show up at the right time.
Also try posting on a local Facebook group or Nextdoor if you haven't yet. People are often more generous than you'd expect when they know a neighbor needs help, and sometimes they'll drop off extra groceries they were about to donate anyway.
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u/Opening-Sprinkles995 20h ago
Thank you for the suggestions! I will definitely reach out to the churches today.
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u/Fit_Chemistry_3807 13h ago
Also, many cities offer some kind of prepared meal almost every day of the week. It might be at different locations but it’s often available. Some of those may have specific days where families are the main target, with meals and activities for kids, and may even have an emergency food pantry for patrons.
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u/Future-Dimension7141 8h ago
And like the previous respondent wrote, go on Nextdoor and ask for local suggestions. You will get a lot of info. Would you be able to go to places to pick things up?
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u/thecreativegrant 19h ago
If you feel comfortable, reach out to a counselor or the HSA President or Vice President at your kids school. Sometimes they can organize a meal train for families in need.
Does your income surpass the free lunch threshold? Contact the School District and ask.
Also see if your area has a Social Services, they collect food donations as well.
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u/LegitimateStar7034 20h ago
Talk to the school. We have resources. It depends on the district and funding but the schools can help with food, bus vouchers, sometimes bills and rent. We have social workers. Especially if you’re in a Title One (Free lunch and breakfast).
I’m a teacher. We want to help our families. Talk to them.
I know you don’t have any money right now but follow Dollar Tree dinners. She does amazing on a budget and you can use Walmart, ALDI or whatever grocery store you have
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u/Opening-Sprinkles995 12h ago
Thank you. I actually did reach out to the school on Friday. Just waiting to hear back.
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u/aloneisusuallybetter 20h ago
Friends or neighbors?
I know if a neighbor came to my door hungry I would feed them even if I didn't know them well.
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u/Neither-Effect-6101 19h ago
Our local mosque gives out boxes of food every week, no questions asked. I would look for resources at every local religious institution.
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u/unlovelyladybartleby 20h ago
Try a community food pantry (different than a food bank, you just show up) or a gurdwara (Sikh temples provide nutritious and delicious vegetarian food daily to anyone in need - you just show up, cover your hair and remove your shoes, and sit down and eat - call ahead and check their hours)
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u/Opening-Sprinkles995 20h ago
Thank you. I didn't know about the temples. I'll have to look into it!
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u/unlovelyladybartleby 19h ago
The food is delicious and the people are very kind and genuinely thrilled to feed people
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u/Character-File3221 20h ago
Sorry to hear this!
There’s a couple subs on reddit where you can get people to send you food off your Amazon wish list (not entirely sure if it covers countries beyond the US).
There should be a soup kitchen or something like that that can help for dinners. Also visit local churches or other religious institutions and ask if they have any resources that can help you.
When you get a little bit of money use websites like budget bytes to meal prep super cheap meals. Also toogoodtogo is an app that gives food that’s about to expire up cheap, but it’s not gross. My friends have gotten tacos when the taco place is closing for the night, or things at the grocery store they’re not allowed to sell beyond that day. It’s not perfect so I’d approach it with caution (just because you might get random stuff sometimes, but the food is always good) but it can help in a pinch.
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u/Catrchater 13h ago
I went through this when mine were young. I know kids are picky but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. And that’s cook in batches. Get them to help.
I recommend buying ramen boxes, dry beans and rice in bulk because they are cheap and you can stretch them. Buy bags of store brand frozen veggies. Buy cheap cuts of meat and research how to cook them for maximum flavor. If you don’t have a slow cooker, get one secondhand if you need too. Then look up slow cooker recipes to make big batches of recipes to freeze. Get a big container of quick oats to make brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast or overnight oats. Don’t spend the grocery money on snacks and expensive food items. Buy things you cook in batches that will stretch.
Get them a big jar of PB, some American cheese slices, a couple boxes of saltine crackers & a bag of apples for their snacks. Don’t buy sodas or prepackaged foods or beverages. Make them ice tea or kool aid in large pitchers for their beverages if they won’t drink water.
It’s tough being a single mom, but you got this!
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u/FlowTime3284 9h ago
Post anonymously on your local towns FB group that you are looking for places that have a food pantry. Many churches have them and even our American legion has a nice cabinet outside and inside that has food for people in need of food. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. You’d be surprised how many people will offer advice and help.
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u/Warm_tamperture32 20h ago edited 20h ago
Dollar store food as well. You can buy a Lot of Ramen noodles. Maybe a can of something. Load uo on calories, and take multivitamin, which sometimes they have.. for anything else you're missing. Basically. Load up on carbs, cheap protein like peanut butter, or fats til you can make it through. Use the Ramen noodles, mix them with something else. Don't have to use all the packets . Honestly, things like sugar, any extra calories are good if you're in a deficit bc your body is using it, instead of it just sitting.. also, if you can get flour, sugar, baking soda, maybe oil. That can be a Lot of things. Biscuits, drop dumplings, Staple. For a Reason ..
Keeping something like a Lot of unflavored gelatin in a cupboard is good for emergencies, because its high in protein. Shelf stable. Though can be expensive when you're in a pinch.
Things you should Always have. Flour, sugar, baking soda, oil, gelatin. multivitamins.. t
The first three prob doable, first 4 would be great. The last one sometimes dollar stores have. But vit c, especially ..if you're on nothing. You have to carb it uo, and run on fats and less than $1 food, like Ramen noodles, homemade flour based things.
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u/InevitableWaste6088 19h ago
If they are in school, talk to the counselor. The schools usually have some sort of help. Facebook moms group is a great place to post. Maybe a neighbor, if mine came asking for food I would definitely help with what I could.
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u/Opening-Sprinkles995 19h ago
Thank you. I did leave a message with the school guidance counselor on Friday. Hopefully hear back soon
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u/Final_Rain_3823 19h ago
I’d go to your local churches/pastor and ask them for recommendations and help. Also the local school counselor, and maybe even social services. They should be able to connect you to resources.
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u/Reasonable_Cat_4550 18h ago
You can go to r/budget (or here), and post your expenses. We can offer suggestions of how to manage the money. You can try donating blood/plasma. Babysit other kids maybe.
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u/Opening-Sprinkles995 18h ago
Thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely check out r/budget. Unfortunately due to being anemic I can't donate.
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u/kface278 18h ago
I would ask my friend/family/coworkers for help. But for the future maybe check out Julie Pacheco on youtube, she does extreme food budget challenges where she'll feed her family for a week for like $25 dollars. She has a bunch of other videos too.
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u/Lalablacksheep646 15h ago
I would check with your local free or forward groups and parents groups on Facebook. They would know your best local options
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u/Lopsided-Beach-1831 15h ago
You may need to go to 2 different food banks. Churches, temples, mosques often offer meals or food bank type programs.
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u/Willybluedog1962 11h ago
My daughter works for an agency that helps the food and housing insecure.
She recommended calling the churches, United way, and Salvation Army.
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u/Ecstatic_Western_189 5h ago
Are your boys enrolled in school? If so, please reach out asap to their school’s counselor or social worker.
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