Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've been there. I remember writing checks I knew would result in NSF fees at the grocery store because I really had no other choice. During really tough times, I would cover the date on my bus pass because I couldn't afford a new one to get to work. Those days were a long time ago, but hard to forget.

I hated asking for or accepting for help, and although I should have many times I never went to a food pantry. If I would have known it existed, I would have participated in the SHARE food program though. It has been around for a long time; my parents used to get food from there to save money on groceries. You can get packages for as little as $20 and there are lots of drop-off sites in the area http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/share.

Your link does not work, but thank you.

What does someone have to do to be eligible for the food bank? We need food *this weekend*, and food for my kids to take for lunch next week. Really, just groceries in my fridge, and gas in my car is all we need. I don't need to win the lottery. I just want to be able to feed my kids ?

For lunch at school, call your schools office on Monday. They maybe able to help you for a short time via the free and reduced lunch program. Even better would be if you can outright qualify and the school offers food sacks for the weekends. One of my kids is in a Title 1 school and on Fridays there are many children that are sent home with food for the weekend. Good luck OP. My thoughts are with you.

Anonymous wrote:^Op again. The 't' on my keyboard doesn't work

Then how'd you type t?

I'm very happy for you OP that people reached out and figured you weren't just some troll of yester posts.

^Op again. The 't' on my keyboard doesn't work

OP here. Two people reached out to me, from one Internet stranger to another. To those people - thank you so much for not doubting that I'm some troll, looking to scam someone, nor am I some lazy mother who doesn't want to get a job.

I do have pride - but I also have children. I will visi every food shelf that will let me in. But those two people's little bi of help allowed me to buy my kids a little more groceries.

To those of you here who DO have the means - or more than the means - to make a difference in someone's life, please do. I know someone else that's like me out there would be eternally grateful.

That sounds like us OP. soon we will finally have $500 - $1000/mo left over, but it took us 5 years of living paycheck to paycheck and selling things to get here. We even had our power shut off once 5 years ago.

Recently we had no money, so we did a yard sale, like had the idea on a Friday, got stuff the make signs Saturday morning, and made $250 in an hour on Sunday. You could do that.

I hope you have light at the end of your tunnel and that your tunnel isn't 5 years long like ours has been. Honestly, we have less than you in the bank right now though, so I feel you.

In the short term, other than a yard sale, you could sell some old gold rings you don't like, and cancel your cable and just use a roku box. You could also shop for cheaper car insurance, and maybe get rid of 1 car. Have you tried mint.com to see where your money is going? I almost peed when I learned DH spent almost $1000/mo at work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've been there. I remember writing checks I knew would result in NSF fees at the grocery store because I really had no other choice. During really tough times, I would cover the date on my bus pass because I couldn't afford a new one to get to work. Those days were a long time ago, but hard to forget.

I hated asking for or accepting for help, and although I should have many times I never went to a food pantry. If I would have known it existed, I would have participated in the SHARE food program though. It has been around for a long time; my parents used to get food from there to save money on groceries. You can get packages for as little as $20 and there are lots of drop-off sites in the area http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/share.

Your link does not work, but thank you.

What does someone have to do to be eligible for the food bank? We need food *this weekend*, and food for my kids to take for lunch next week. Really, just groceries in my fridge, and gas in my car is all we need. I don't need to win the lottery. I just want to be able to feed my kids ?

Not PP, but the link works if you take out the period:

http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/share

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've been there. I remember writing checks I knew would result in NSF fees at the grocery store because I really had no other choice. During really tough times, I would cover the date on my bus pass because I couldn't afford a new one to get to work. Those days were a long time ago, but hard to forget.

I hated asking for or accepting for help, and although I should have many times I never went to a food pantry. If I would have known it existed, I would have participated in the SHARE food program though. It has been around for a long time; my parents used to get food from there to save money on groceries. You can get packages for as little as $20 and there are lots of drop-off sites in the area http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/share.

Your link does not work, but thank you.

What does someone have to do to be eligible for the food bank? We need food *this weekend*, and food for my kids to take for lunch next week. Really, just groceries in my fridge, and gas in my car is all we need. I don't need to win the lottery. I just want to be able to feed my kids ?

OP, I've been there. I remember writing checks I knew would result in NSF fees at the grocery store because I really had no other choice. During really tough times, I would cover the date on my bus pass because I couldn't afford a new one to get to work. Those days were a long time ago, but hard to forget.

I hated asking for or accepting for help, and although I should have many times I never went to a food pantry. If I would have known it existed, I would have participated in the SHARE food program though. It has been around for a long time; my parents used to get food from there to save money on groceries. You can get packages for as little as $20 and there are lots of drop-off sites in the area http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/share.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just want to say thank you to those who have reached out. I really just cannot thank you enough.

Sent money today

OP here. I just want to say thank you to those who have reached out. I really just cannot thank you enough.

Oh, in case you don't work on weekends, there are many restaurants that need host/hostess help, brunch and dinner.They'll hire you on the spot.

OP, lots of jewelry stores will buy gold. Call a few, ask if they're buying, and then take your pieces to a few to see where will give you the best offer. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:We're suffering tremendously, and just wondered if anyone has been in a really tough financial spot before.

We have $150 to last until May 15. That has to cover gas, food, everything. We have three kids. And currently no food in the house. It's hard not get really, really depressed.

What do you do when the times get really tough? Other than the spouses try not to kill each other.

If you are in Virginia, call Food for Others and you will be able to get food.

My family came to this country from Central America with nothing but the clothes on our back. There are many charities, the Catholic ones are very helpful, who can help with clothes, food, furniture, and guidance for people like us OP.