Tips for First Time Food Pantry Visitors

I received a call yesterday from someone who is looking for food assistance for the first time.  It can be scary, and overwhelming, and downright humiliating.

(If you find yourself in need for the first time, you may also find this post helpful.)

Tips for your first visit

* Call ahead.  Try to find out as much as possible about the pantry you will be visiting before you go.  Check out their website, call and listen to their outgoing message, and/or try to speak to someone directly (though the last one is tricky since most pantries are volunteer run).
What paperwork do they require?  Should you line up early or is it better to come later?
Are there restrictions?  (This last one is a big one. I have heard of folks standing in line for an hour for a local pantry who were turned away at the door because they did not live in the right county.  Ask first.)

* Take ID and a current utility bill displaying your address with you.   Some pantries require more, but this is likely the least you will need.  Make sure the address on each matches the address on your paperwork.  If you have moved and not gotten an update ID, call the DMV for an official (free) change of address card.
If you are homeless (even living in someone else's home), check with the pantry on their policies.
If you have time and ability to do so, make a folder with birth certificates, current bills, pay stubs, etc. to expedite the process in case you are applying somewhere that needs more documentation.

* Prepare for a wait.  Just allow yourself at least an hour or two buffer until you know how the system works.  Even then, during busy seasons (usually summer and holidays) the wait can be longer than you expect.
If you have to squeeze it in on your lunch hour or before a doctor's appointment, try to call ahead and ask the pantry for advice.


* Try to find a sitter.   It is better to get the lay of the land on your first visit without your kids with you if at all possible.  Alternatively, take someone with you whose sole purpose is to help watch your kid.
Pantries are often full of shelves of stuff, and not safe places for kids to wander. Have someone directly supervise your child(ren) every minute if they must go with you for their own safety and the safety of others in the area.  This is also a courtesy to other pantry guests and volunteers.
Take things for your kids to do while they wait.  Things that are quiet and self contained are best:  books, paper and crayons, etc.

* Take your own bags.  You may not need to use them, but for pantries like ours it's always a blessing to save a few bags.

* Look for friendly faces and ask questions.  Whether it's another person in line or a volunteer, it's fine to let people know it's your first time and ask how things work.


* Prepare to become a creative cook.  Prepare your family to try new foods.  You will likely not receive items your family is used to eating.   Which leads directly to......

* Look for alternative sources of protein and ways to stretch protein.  Most pantries are not equipped to give you much fresh meat.  Beans and nuts are a great source of protein.   Many pantries will have canned meats, especially tuna, so be ready to look for recipes like casseroles and soups that can stretch a small can of meat for your family.



General Information about pantries

* Food selection process will vary based on the pantry.  A "client choice" pantry allows you to pick from a range of items.  Other pantries prepack food and you receive it sight unseen.

* Some of the people in line are "regulars" and may have been to multiple pantries.  They may have good advice for you.  They may also give you erroneous information about the process based on their own biases and sense of authority.  Always double check information with a volunteer / staff member.

* Volunteers are people too.  They may be having a bad day.  They may have been treated poorly by someone else in line, or really be burned out on the process.  It is unfortunate but true that some pantries and the volunteers who run them may make you feel unwelcome, unloved, or ashamed.  Please don't take that personally.  Pray for them, offer them a kind word, and know that they are trying to do a good thing, even if it comes out wrong sometime.
(On the flip side, if you open yourself up to it, you might make great friends with volunteers and other guests.)



Do you have other questions as you are getting ready for your first pantry visit?  Post them here.

When you need help: First steps

As a suburban pantry, we often see people who are newly in financial distress.
I have the same conversation about first steps with many people.
If you find yourself in financial distress and are unsure what to do first, here are some ideas for taking a bit of control of your situation.  Depending upon how deep your troubles are, these will certainly not solve your entire problem, but the cumulative effect over time should alleviate some financial strain.

Cut off the cable
I know in our culture this feels like a "need," but it is actually a luxury that can be a fairly large expense.  Yes, your kids will be disappointed.  Yes, you may miss some shows you like.  You will all adapt, and it is a good opportunity to find new hobbies.
However, you do not have to go completely without TV.
Depending upon where you live, you can get a digital receiver or antenna to receive some channels without a monthly cost.  (http://antennatv.tv/free/ is one source of information to help with this process.)
Your local library likely has a large selection of DVDs that you can check out for free, and in larger areas (such as Henrico County, VA where I live) you can get additional titles from other libraries sent to your branch for no charge.  Visit your library to find out how this works.
Also, the occasional splurge for a Redbox movie is far cheaper than a monthly cable bill.
(No DVD player?  Check Goodwill.  Also, if you were to contact my pantry and explain what you were trying to do, I would try to find you a donated used DVD player.  I bet many other agencies would do this as well.)

Cut off the internet
If you have a student, this might be a hardship, so see if you are eligible for Internet Essentials.
Otherwise, home internet is something you can live without.  If you have a laptop that can use WiFi, many public places offer free access.
No computer?  No problem.  Most public libraries have free internet usage.  (In Henrico County, VA, you can use a computer with internet 2 hours per day if you have a free library card.)  Check with your local library for details.
This is an inconvenience, but it is also a huge cost savings.


Minimize your phone bills
Cut off the home phone OR the cell phone.
Whichever phone you keep, check your plan and work to remove any extras and pare your services down to the bare minimum.  You can always add services back when your situation improves.


Work with your power company before it's too late
Call the power company at the first sign you may not be able to pay in full.  You may be able to get an extension or be put on a payment plan.
IF you get an extension or payment plan, DO NOT default on it.  Your power company will not be likely to work with you in the future if you default.
If you have a medical need for electricity (such as a CPAP machine), then check with your power company about a medical extension.  You will need a doctor to complete forms.  This is generally longer than a normal extension.

Apply for free / reduced price meals for your school aged children
First off, this saves on your grocery bill.  Some schools offer breakfast and lunch every day.
For kids who are picky or having a hard time transitioning, you may need to ease them in.  Go over the school menu with them to help determine the days that they will "buy" meals on the program for the week.  You could also send a simple snack (such as a piece of fruit or a granola bar) to go with those first few meals to help add a "touch of home."  The goal would be to eventually have them eating as many meals as are available to them at the school.
Perhaps more importantly, being signed up for the school lunch program will make you eligible for other programs in your area.  Some schools, PTAs, and agencies specifically target families enrolled in this program.

Talk to your children's guidance counselors
Not only can they help you apply for the lunch program, but they can also keep an eye out for your student during this difficult time and help connect you to other services you may need in your area.

Don't wait to apply with Social Services
If you know with certainty your situation is temporary, then you can wait.
Otherwise, contact Social Services in your area right away to see what you are eligible for and begin the application process.  It can sometimes take weeks or months to begin receiving assistance.
SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) is available on a sliding scale.  Even if you are eligible for a small amount of benefits, it is better than nothing.


Other tips?  Feel free to leave a comment.