Just so you know, a food bank is there to help you in a time of need. You have to provide documentation, ie. pay stubs, rent/mortgage paperwork, utility statements, etc. In addition, you must provide SS cards for everyone in the household that you would like to receive food for (minor children). The food bank is not perfect.
What you can expect:
-A long line of people, mostly who have been laid off recently and cannot buy groceries and basic needs for their families.
-As much stale bread as you can handle
-Rotten produce(ie. blackened bananas, extremely bruised apples, rotten grapes)
-expired canned products, not always, but most of the time!
So, if you are truly in need of food, you will go to a food bank. It is not meant to live off of. Most people would rather work (more than one job, if necessary) in order to make ends meet and buy their own food stuffs.
If you are in a desperate situation, you will do what you have to do, including getting food from a source that is, quite honestly, substandard! You do what you have to do.
Actually, it is much better to take your chances at the local markets with the sales, and quite possibly local farmers' markets if you are able to find them.
Please do not bash people who humble themselves to receive food when they are in dire need. Have you ever been in such a tough spot that old bread actually sounds good?
Probably not.
Richard
