Abbey
Spork Queen
Same boat. A few things I've found that are wonderful. You just have to suck your pride in and do it.
#1 - most grocery stores have a 'damaged' section. It's usually hidden in the back of the store. Just ask a manager. Most people don't use it as they think items are expired. That is not true. They are a few days from being expired...but heck - mac and cheese tastes the same 2 days before expiration than it was brand new. I'll even find milk in the cooler. At the rate I go through milk, 2 days out is great!! It will be gone tomorrow anyways. I find things that on the shelf were $2.49 and now are 10 cents. The store just wants to move them.
#2 - Many shelters provide fresh food bins every morning. I have one in walking distance here. I ONLY use it when needed, but locals bring in produce they've grown in their garden that they can't eat...too much for them, canned goods, pasta, bread, etc. Lots of grocery stores contribute on a daily basis. I've seen more than once waiting with a few others as the 'vendors' arrive each morning and bring bags of things that the volunteers seperate and people politely take only what they need. You don't always get what you want, but at least it's food.
I live in an older community city where it has been a ritual of life for 40 years for the family, which is reduced to grandma and grandpa grow these massive gardens. They're too old to can, so daily they pick off what they need and bring the rest to the shelter. The BEST produce. Bless their hearts.
Bread is a BIG one. It has a short shelf life, so they need to move it. If your family eats a lot of bread...go for it. I get one and freeze it.
Just some ideas.
Abbey
#1 - most grocery stores have a 'damaged' section. It's usually hidden in the back of the store. Just ask a manager. Most people don't use it as they think items are expired. That is not true. They are a few days from being expired...but heck - mac and cheese tastes the same 2 days before expiration than it was brand new. I'll even find milk in the cooler. At the rate I go through milk, 2 days out is great!! It will be gone tomorrow anyways. I find things that on the shelf were $2.49 and now are 10 cents. The store just wants to move them.
#2 - Many shelters provide fresh food bins every morning. I have one in walking distance here. I ONLY use it when needed, but locals bring in produce they've grown in their garden that they can't eat...too much for them, canned goods, pasta, bread, etc. Lots of grocery stores contribute on a daily basis. I've seen more than once waiting with a few others as the 'vendors' arrive each morning and bring bags of things that the volunteers seperate and people politely take only what they need. You don't always get what you want, but at least it's food.
I live in an older community city where it has been a ritual of life for 40 years for the family, which is reduced to grandma and grandpa grow these massive gardens. They're too old to can, so daily they pick off what they need and bring the rest to the shelter. The BEST produce. Bless their hearts.
Bread is a BIG one. It has a short shelf life, so they need to move it. If your family eats a lot of bread...go for it. I get one and freeze it.
Just some ideas.
Abbey
