How to Eat When You Have Literally Nothing

June 19, 2007 By Matthew Paulson

Some people live dangerously close to the edge of poverty and one financial hit could make them homeless. Generally they have low wage jobs and there’s just not much money around. Most of us will go through a phase like this in our life, it’s not fun or easy, but it’s survivable. If you’ve hit rock bottom and don’t have a penny to your name, here are some ways that you can at least keep your stomach full during this period of adversity.

Food Pantry – Your local food pantry is probably your best bet for sustenance. If you’re not sure where your town or city’s is at, head down to your local library and look it up online. Most food banks will provide food for free or at extremely low prices for those who really need it. Sometimes you will be required to do some volunteer work for the food, but at least you’ll have something in your stomach.

Free Samples – Figure out when your local grocery stores have free samples. Look presentable, quietly stop at each station and try a couple of samples of things, and before you know it, you’ve got a meal full of calories inside of you. It’s not for those with pride, but it gets the job done.

Relatives – If you have any relatives in the area, chances are they’ll help you. Even if they don’t like you, they won’t want you to starve. Don’t expect any sort of long term help from them, but most relatives should be kind enough to take you to the grocery store once or give you some canned goods for to hold you over until things are better again

Make Some Cash – Call up your neighbors and see if you can do any chores for them. Check the newspaper and see if anyone needs odd jobs done. Collect aluminum cans and sell them at a can bank. Do some day labor. There are plenty of ways to make a bit of money in a short period of time, they aren’t pretty, but they’ll get you by until you can get steady employment again.

Sell Stuff – If you’ve got a TV, some jewelry, golf clubs, or anything you can do without, it might be a good time to head down to the pawnshop. It’ll provide you some cash for food for the time being.

Homeless Shelters – If your town has a homeless shelter, it’s okay to make use of it if you absolutely have to. You’ll at least have free food, and some help to find you a new job.

Ask and You Shall Receive – If you’re dirt broke and starving, walk down to some of your neighbors and ask if they have any canned goods or food items that they can spare. People are generally compassionate and will help you if you take the time to ask.

There are plenty of ways to come up with some food if you absolutely have no money. You should never have to rely on these means for more than a month, and trying to get free food should never become a way of life. While you are living on the charity of others, you should be spending 8 hours a day, every day, looking for a new job and a way to provide for yourself. That should be your full-time job until you have gainful employment. Never accept that you are permanently impoverished.

Posted in charity, food, free stuff