Our family has been through tight financial times and has had to learn how to live well below the poverty line. There are so many resources available and I want to share some that I know of and open this post up for other people to share resources that are helpful to their family.
One thing I have to say is credit cards can be very destructive to a family budget. We personally do not own credit cards and so when the money is gone, we stop spending. Its the simple spend less than you make mentality. We try to put a little aside to give, save, and invest each month and trust God with with rest.
Here are some money saving ideas when you are having a hard time putting food on the table:
1. Grow your own
Plant your own garden, or if you are an apartment dweller, start a garden on your balcony or grow herbs on your window box.
Get involved in a community garden! Check out the American Community Garden Association to find a garden near you!
2. Gleaners
Do a internet search to find Gleaners near you!
3. Food Banks/Pantries
Tigard Community Church Food Pantry Tuesday's 9am-12pm
Feeding America Food Bank Locator
4. Government Nutrition Assistance Programs
Women, Infant, and Children Program (WIC) (I think this is one of our nation's best assistance programs)
Oregon Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
I hope this is helpful! What resources do you know of for providing assistance for needy families?
-Kari
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew 6:25-27
I also found this really cool Portland based business: http://portlandfruit.org/harvest-programs/
Thanks for sharing Em!!