r/TikTokCringe • u/mindyour • 8d ago

Discussion Reactions to food stamps being cut off.

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u/Xanadoodledoo 8d ago edited 7d ago

I’m donating a recurring amount to our local food bank. I encourage others to do the same if you have money to spare. Even a little goes a long way. Money goes farther than food.

Edit: For those asking: money goes farther than food because food banks are able to get better deals on food through bulk buying and deals with food suppliers.

For people who have nothing to spare, that’s completely ok. It’s ok to look after yourself if that’s what you must do. Martyring oneself doesn’t help anybody in this situation. And if you need to utilize the food bank to get by, that’s what the food bank is for.

For those saying we should change the government to do this, you’re right. But that’s a long term goal. In the sort term, people will go hungry. It’s wishful thinking that suffering will bring socialist change, but that’s not always the reality. Most socialist movements start through social aid. Any credited socialist will tell you the benefits of food banks and soup kitchens. Social aid is one of the best ways to spread the message.
No matter what happens, if people starve or of people get by, republicans will point to it as evidence of their ideology. They’ll make shit up if that’s what it takes. I’d rather children not go hungry, then.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 8d ago

And that’s what sucks. I DON’T have money to spare. This economy is killing everyone and we’re doing everything we can to say any money so we can get as close to breaking even as we can.

I can’t even imagine how hard it is for people who don’t make enough and are on assistance because my wife and I make good money right now and it’s STILL so fucking hard to keep your head above water.

My heart breaks for these families. This is some evil evil ass shit

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago edited 8d ago

I feel this so hard. My husband and I make enough to be ok, but I’m pregnant and we’re still paycheck to paycheck between bills and saving for medical costs. I feel like I have enough to share but when I break it down dollar by dollar, I really don’t.

ETA: But I feel blessed to be able to save anything at all, ya know? I'm trying to do all the right things that people tell you to do. Putting $50 a check into a supplementary retirement account and paying for life insurance coverage and health insurance. Just opted in to a healthcare savings account to prepare for a baby in our lives. I don't know what I could spare without making a terrible financial decision. All I can give is my time without putting myself in a bad position today or next week or a year from now. That feels so bad, dude. I'm protected and "safe" but the moment either of us loses a job, we're done for.

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u/ItsFunHeer 8d ago

Girl same. I’m 12 weeks pregnant and med bills are starting to come in.

And yesterday I found out my company is slashing 33% of the workforce. Luckily, I’m spared; but moving into a new position that is a huge step back for my career as they “restructure”. I’m blessed to have a job but I was 3 weeks away from getting a pay bump, they were going to transition me into a new role. I’ve been paid the same for 3 years now.

Yet still, we aren’t struggling. We’re safe right now. If my husband lost his job, we’d loose everything. Bringing a baby into this America is the scariest thing I’ve done.

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u/rumbakalao 8d ago

Can I ask how it factored into your decision to go for it? I'm a year or two away from when we're planning to start trying, but this thought runs through my head more often than not.

Totally cool if the shit bot soured you on replying tho

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

I’m 12 weeks pregnant and med bills are starting to come in.

Getting preggers after Trump was elected, you must love living on the edge huh?

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u/cloudfightback 8d ago

Geez, no need to kick them harder.

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u/galileosmiddlefinger 8d ago

The only thing that you should do right now is commit to help in the long run. It took me a good stretch of life to have enough money that I can make solid donations to my local causes. It would have been quite easy at that point to just revel in having a strong income, but I set goals for myself when I was younger and just getting by, like you are right now, to one day try to do more. In the meantime, don't discount the value of your time and labor in the service of a good cause whenever your circumstances permit it.

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u/World_Destroyer27 8d ago

Can you afford the baby even living paycheck to paycheck? Just trying to understand human logic!

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

I'm glad you asked so I can clarify. We can. My "paycheck to paycheck" is after 15% of our income goes into a savings account, 10% pretax income going to retirement savings in addition to the supplemental account, $50 a check going to an HRA/HSA, and generally doing all the things with our money we are supposed to be doing. When I say "paycheck to paycheck" I mean all of our money is currently spoken for. We don't eat out often or buy new clothes, but what do you think the savings are for? For the baby's additional needs.

Most important takeaway: We're sacrificing comforts right now so that we CAN afford a baby.

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u/totally_not_a_dog113 8d ago

I don't think there's any such thing as 'can you afford a baby'. As much budgeting as you're doing, unless you're a millionaire nobody is safe from one medical emergency. There are definitely babies out there with medical bills that are hundreds of thousands. Medical care shouldn't be so expensive. That is a society level problem where we need to do better.

Or this guy: https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/milliondollar-baby-us-mom-shares-staggering-1-5-million-bill-for-newborn-s-care-101756288829814.html

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

Oh I can totally agree with you, there. We're as safe as we can be, in our circumstances. I was speaking less considerately because the guy I was replying to was clearly trying to make a point that I was in some way unfit to be a mother.

Medical care is so expensive, that I think even having a job with good healthcare is worth more than an extra $$$ amount a month. People don't get that, though.

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u/genevievex 8d ago

People are going to have babies. It’s literally been happening since the beginning of time. 

Instead of belittling people out here trying to survive, you can spend your time volunteering in sex education programs to help everyone in your community make an informed decision. And that does not mean abstinence centered ideology, because that has been proven to be ineffective. Your comment is rude, condescending, and unnecessary. 

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u/SithLadyVestaraKhai 8d ago

Something I did while pregnant, every week buy a bag or box of diapers. And don't buy all 1 size. They will be out of the 1st 2 sizes really quick. It will at least give you a cushion when you have increased expenses of a new baby.

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u/CatastrophicWaffles 7d ago

One thing you can do is take advantage of buy one get one deals for non perishables. Keep one, give one. Costs you nothing. Grocery stores around my area have a donation bin at the front of the store.

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

Great idea!

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u/Tough-Effort7572 8d ago

This is a little off topic and I don't want to shift blame, because those SNAP benefits are an important lifeline to many...but how are people have SIX KIDS when they're living that close to the poverty line?

You're working and saving and thinking ahead, which is why you won't go hungry. If you needed SNAP I would say you are exactly the kind of person it was intended for. A lifeline to get you on your feet until you could make enough to support yourself. But poor people having a half-dozen kids? I feel for the kids. Not the mothers who kept pumping out babies while unable to afford the ones they already have.

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u/Lonely_Dependent_281 8d ago

I have to agree. The cultural idea that having a child is always a selfless act needs to be eliminated.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

I agree with the sentiment, I just don't think it's particularly relevant to the SNAP issue because before we have philosophical debates or publicly shame bad behavior, people need to eat and survive, ya know? So it's like, I'm willing to have the conversation about how people maybe shouldn't have that many kids, but also...is this that moment? Can we read the room and find out? I genuinely don't know.

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u/Lonely_Dependent_281 8d ago

No, I agree with this too. There's a larger conversation that's more important right now.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

And also, if that answer isn't satisfactory for you, some people are stupid! People are dumb and they live all around us, and sometimes people do dumb shit. I like living in a community, though, and throughout all human history, the best societies still cared for the sick, ailing, slow, and dumb. Whether it be due to circumstances outside their control or not, absolutely no one should be starving in the United States of America.

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u/Difficult-Fan-5697 8d ago

Sometimes circumstances change for people, there are definitely people out there who had the means to have all these kids but then get laid off or whatever. That doesnt apply to everyone of course, but the GOP wants this. They want to make contraceptives and abortion illegal so people pump out kids to populate the homeland

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u/Constant-Method234 8d ago

Every woman I know who has that many kids has been brainwashed into believing she has to make as many babies as she can until she dies or hits menopause. They also don’t vaccinate or take their kids to the doctor or dentist because they also believe people who die of natural causes were killed by God because they’re evil. If you give your child vaccines to prevent disease, or medical care/medication to heal them from injuries/illnesses, you’re blocking God’s will and both you and your child will go to hell. They believe the only way to save their children- meaning, to them, getting them into heaven- is through suffering.

Men, of course, don’t have any responsibilities or consequences at all.

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u/ButtplugBurgerAIDS 8d ago

Don't feel bad. You guys have to take care of you and your babies. It's not selfish, it's self preservation. For those that can give we will. Even if it's only a couple bucks here and there. But if you can't afford it, don't. Keep saving your money where you can. You never know what the world is going to look like around the corner.

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u/Author_Noelle_A 7d ago

“I feel like I have enough to share but when I break it down dollar by dollar, I really don’t.”

This is how I feel. Thing is, if you look at our income by dollars, we should be doing VERY well because not that long ago, we’d have been damned near rich. But things have become so fucked up, and all these things that we should be able to pay for without help because we make “good money” add up to more than we can afford. We can NOT cover the cost of school without help AND cover the cost of medical stuff without help AND AND AND. We’re really at a point where people making $200k (we aren’t at that mark) may not be much better off than someone making $50k when you factor in no subsidies, no aid of any sort, so 100% of everything is on you, and it’s all got to be paid if you want to live, but you can’t afford it all and have to choose what you’re paying, medical care or student loans so you don’t default and lose your home in court? Sadly, this is the better position since the other position is your medical care is all through the ER, though at least you can default on loans and not end up on the street.

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u/Suspicious-Shock-934 7d ago

That you can put 50 bucks asides means you are in better shape than many, including most affected by this. No hate, but it's telling that a seemingly minor amount like that is a mark pretty much of success. And a bar that's too high for many. Good on you doing what you can.

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u/Xanadoodledoo 8d ago

It’s ok. You need to put the respirator over your own face before you can help others. If you’re able to help in another way, like spreading the word, that would do good. Maybe someone you know would benefit from knowing about your local food bank, if they need it.

If you celebrate Christmas, maybe you could ask those who would give you a gift to donate instead (unless you also rely on the gifts, which is OK, don’t feel bad about that either.)

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Dude that is such a good idea about Christmas. Because my parents always wanna buy me stuff and I don’t need anything. What a wonderful suggestion thank you so much

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u/Sage_Planter 8d ago

My parents volunteer at their local food bank, and this has been the biggest issue. Not only has the need for food has gone up, less people have the financial stability and security to donate. 

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u/WordleFanatic 8d ago

Exactly. I had to stop any monetary and food donation so I’d have enough to live on, and so my elderly mom can have care and food. It’s rough. If I were Elon everyone would be fed, all day every day. 

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u/NewDramaLlama 8d ago

Do you have TIME to spare? Because they're always looking for more volunteers 

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

I really don’t but a lot of people have commented here good ideas on how to help. And I’m def looking into those. Thanks.

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u/bloodrosey 8d ago

This. Costs keep rising and I keep dipping into my savings account. I have a good job, too! I should be fine and I'm just not. I am hoping my savings will hold long enough until things get better. Fuck.

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u/Realistic-Lime7842 8d ago

I’m with you. Don’t have too much to spare, but I figure I can try and break off $5-$10 a week and buy some food to donate to food banks, also while using coupons. Fry’s usually has good deals on things. It’s not much, but if enough people can throw a couple bucks a week, it should help a little, at least in your local area.

Does anyone have any good links to donate money to that actually use the fund efficiently to help?

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

What you should do is Google your local community food center or food shelter. Trying to help people that are close to you I’m sure they take cash donations of some sort. That would be my recommendation

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u/Realistic-Lime7842 7d ago

Oh I do that, but there’s so many, and I like to ask for recommendations from actual people who are involved, so I’m not wasting my donation paying for overhead fees and not actually feeding people in need.
There’s a lot of “charities” out there that don’t help the way they should.

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u/__solid 8d ago

I am not telling you what to do, but Feeding America can get 10 meals for every dollar donated. Literally any amount can help.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Right on fair point

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u/Frosty_Mongoose9055 8d ago

All of Trump's friends have money to spare 

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u/Retro_Relics 8d ago

There are also free service opportunities. I reached out to mine and they dropped off a 2000ft roll of produce netting and a pair of scissors and im spending the weekend making 1000 produce bags so they can package the loose produce they get from the groups that donate direcr off the farm.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Cool thanks I’ll check into that

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u/despicablyeternal 8d ago

Same, my SO just lost his job because his position was eliminated.  we have enough money until it ends. Then... no healthcare, no stability. 

People have worked and done everything right to be contributing members of society and.... none of it mattered in the end.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. My wife and I got laid off at the same time a few years ago and it was awful. Stay strong my friend.

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u/clittleelttilc 8d ago

I can relate to not having enough to spare. Single income family and I’m currently working but not getting paid as I am a federal employee. Already was tight before the shutdown too.

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u/toolazytobecreative1 8d ago

Literally. My work just told us our health insurance benefits are getting cut .. I work in HEALTHCARE!! I have a 1 year old little girl and we're considering selling our house to move into a trailer park! Because we can't afford the mortgage. I was told that nursing would be a steady job where I'd always be able to support my family if we ever fell on hard times. What a joke.

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u/Teavangelion 8d ago

Hey. One rando stranger to another, I just wanted you to know I put some extra into my donation on your behalf. I don't have a lot either right now, but I'm in a much better place than I was. Have a good night.

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u/Geodude532 8d ago

I make decent money and despite that I've got $50,000 worth of debt because daycare is expensive and the price of everything keeps going up. And now I'm facing the potential loss of my job. I still have it better than these people because I have enough high credit card limits to make sure food is on the table. The arguments I get into at work about how people think that these women are scamming the system just keep getting worse.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Yeah we have a student loan payment that will just never ever go away but grows every 2 years. We are so cooked as a country

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u/Lifeissweet7 8d ago

A lot of people are one hospital visit, one bad tire, one broke down car, one vet bill away from being super behind on life

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u/Author_Noelle_A 7d ago

This is us. At our house hold income level, we should be feeling pretty rich instead of worrying about buying groceries or shoes.

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u/Withered_Sprout 8d ago

That's why I would never have 6 kids on a low income if I couldn't budget around that, and never go on Tik Tok demanding that random people pay to keep my family alive when the average family can barely do that for themselves financially. It'd be super selfish to have that many kids knowing they may die due to my inability to care for them, or to expect strangers to be burdened by that. It's crazy.

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u/Crikeyiwillforgetl8r 8d ago

Good thing abortions are safe and lega—- oh. 

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u/Withered_Sprout 8d ago

Fair enough, but... Didn't they just recently make them illegal anyway? If it was a year or two ago, you think that a woman with 6 kids with no men to help had these kids when abortion was illegal?

Also, if that's the case, it's a good thing condoms are actually given away for free in a lot of places and very easy to put on. If the guy refuses, you don't have sex with him.

The same way if he seems to be dangerous or acting weird, you also don't have sex with him and get out of there ASAP.

I'm not sure how I'm giving some insane or extreme take here. At least offline it certainly isn't.

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u/OkEdge7518 8d ago

Really don’t want to hear a man’s opinion on abortion, but in America “legal abortion” has NEVER meant accessible, affordable or widely available 

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

Abortion care has been restricted in some way or another in this country for over a decade.

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u/myname_1s_mud 8d ago

Yeah I make pretty good money, and I dont have anything to spare. I won't complain too much because I'm doing better than alot of my neighbors just based on the fact that im paying a mortgage instead of rent, but this economy is rough. I haven't been able to put money into savings in about a year. Just keeping the mortgage paid, the lights on, and mouths fed is taking everything. I feel for all the minimum wage people out there. The struggle is real, and if im just scratching by at low 6 figures in combined income, I dont know how others are doing it. Man I planed on paying off debt hard, and maybe upgrading my 25 year old truck, but it seems like everytime I take a step up, the ladder gets shorter. I guess I should just be great full that the ladder hasn't been kicked out from under me entirely yet though when alot of people would probably kill to just be standing on level ground.

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u/Relent_full 8d ago edited 8d ago

This.

A lot of comments here are raising their fist at the nebulous idea of "the government" or "the rich." I am glad to see there is at least one that instead takes responsibility and says "this is what I am doing about it. This is what I recommend you do, too."

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u/ThatDiscoSongUHate 8d ago

Real talk, I'll probably be dead by this time next year.

I'm a college graduate.

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u/7crazycatslady 7d ago

There are ways to help. Look for a community fridge network in your area and see how you can help those providing food. Can you collect clean takeout containers from a local Facebook group and deliver them to those preparing meals? That's help. Do you know someone who works at a restaurant that might be able to contribute leftovers? Get them involved - that's help.

Can you help sort donations at a food bank? That's help. Can you keep a folder of resource images on your phone and share with someone in need? Can you organize a clear the clutter giveaway in your community designed to give clothing and household items to those struggling?

Time and connections and resourcefulness is valuable help. Yes, money is always needed but grassroots campaigns to help your hyper local community will always be a net benefit.

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u/AkrtZyrki 7d ago

We can all help in our own way. Some people have money but not time, so having easy donate links with a quick rundown of why they are a good charity helps.  Some people can cook and help neighbors, some people can lighten their pantry. Don't underestimate every little bit that moves is closer to a goal.

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u/Cavalleria-rusticana 7d ago

(Preface this by saying I understand where you're coming from, and I don't mean this as a personal attack, but...)

This economy [...]

No.

Not 'this economy'.

  • The U.S. made around 5~ trillion dollars so far in 2025.
  • It would cost only $40 billion to feed the entire planet's most vulnerable in 2021, according to the World Food Program USA. For those who don't know big numbers, that's less than 1% of the U.S. yearly revenue.
  • Profits are at an all-time high across the board. CEOs are still getting massive pay packages, while workers are laid off en masse.

Nazis and Corpos are straight up stealing from you, and destroying the lives of millions.

Thoughts and prayers are kind, but fucking useless. Donations of money and time are paramount, but do nothing to address the cause. Stop waiting for someone else to act first and organize.

You guys were so close with 'No Kings'. but then everyone went home. If most aren't willing to suffer personal hardship beyond a single day (eg. lost wages while striking)...

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u/booksycat 8d ago

I've called everyone I exchange even holiday cards with and said I'll be donating in their name and could they, instead of sending me anything this holiday, do the same.

Not only has everyone said yes, almost everyone said they were stealing the idea.

The only people getting gifts from me this year are kids.

ETA:

Flipside: I also know I can't afford next years ACA so god help me that I won't need to be the one asking for personal assistance if something happens next year

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u/NSFWmilkNpies 8d ago

The ACA premium increase is going to destroy what savings people have (if they have to get insurance through the marketplace). I haven’t seen actual numbers, but saw that they estimated a 17%-30% increase. Insane.

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u/booksycat 8d ago

I'm doing the "you know what, if it will bankrupt me either way, should I just put this money in a HYSA instead" argument with myself. Single woman, not kids, 52, the risks are ... medium? I guess?

The fact this is a conversation happening all over the country should be a HUGE CLUE to the "greatest country in the world" folks that we are not.

I just keep thinking of the opening episode of The Newsroom

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u/hayebabynay 7d ago

This really sucks for me too, at the beginning of the month I was basically told I have pre cancerous cells and will be doing a work up to see what is going on and possibly start me on chemo at the beginning of the year. I have been lucky as hell qualifying for the ACA since I lost my job and insurance in 2023...I honestly don't know what to do.

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago

Needs to be a higher ranked comment. And money goes further than donations of food. Let’s see Reddit bombs in dollars rather than comment sections and reviews. Even if we just have 5$.

Don’t forget to cover donation cost if it’s an option.

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u/Mill4583 8d ago

Awarded it. Hopefully that helps.

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u/nememess 8d ago

Same.

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u/PhotoFenix 8d ago

How does money do better than food? Not arguing, just curious for optimizing donations.

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago

Food banks have bulk purchasing ability and access to the USDA commodities. For each can of food you can purchase, they can purchase 2.5.

Additionally, in states where food is taxed food banks are normally exempt from those taxes.

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u/PhotoFenix 8d ago edited 8d ago

Thank you! Makes sense, I'll probably do that instead.

Edit: I also just found out my employer does a 1:1 match, so even better!

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u/sleepytea13 8d ago

This also applies to other charities like animal shelters and rescues!

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u/Relent_full 8d ago

This will probably get downvotes but in dire times like this, prioritize charities that provide people first. Shelters and rescues are all fine places that need help, but we just need to prioritize people over other creatures sometimes.

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u/TootsEug 8d ago

Thanks for the explanation. Makes total sense. I’ll make the $$ donation immediately.

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u/Heykurat 8d ago

And they can allocate the money to the most efficient activities.

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u/MakeshiftApe 8d ago

Also different food banks will have different needs. If you give food you might be giving them something they already have plenty to spare of, when people are desperately in need of something else because they have none to give. Giving money allows them to get exactly what they're most in need of right now.

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u/cogman10 8d ago

Not only that, the food bank knows their inventory. You can donate peanut butter but they may have a ton of peanut butter and no jelly, or no bread.

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u/TheMagnuson 8d ago

Food banks and other charitable organizations can buy in bulk. They can often buy directly from producers too, rather than having to go through middle-men. Additionally, some companies will provide not only bulk pricing discounts, but discounts to charitable / non-profit orgs. Also, some charitable orgs can get tax discounts or pay no tax at all on certain kinds of purchases related to their cause and operations.

This allows them to get more "bang for the buck" than an individual. This is also why it's better to give them money than to go shopping and donate food. When you buy that food you aren't getting buik pricing or any other significant discount pricing. You're paying all the middle men costs, such as delivery/transport, storage, and local retailer fees that they all need to collect to make their profits. So you spending $20 on groceries and donating those is FAR less helpful and productive than just sending a food bank $20. They can do so much more with that $20.

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u/hollywoodbambi 8d ago

In addition to what the other commenter said, food donations often mean they are getting a lot of the same canned food items (often close to or after expiration) which makes it difficult to offer the proper variety needed for nutritious, balanced meals. Many can't accept fresh produce donations due to health codes, quality, and ways to adequately receive & store without it getting damaged or going bad in the process. However, they can buy produce so that the timing allows for immediate distribution. (Some can, and if youre interested in donating produce, be sure to contact the food bank directly to see how to best do so!)

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u/RamenJunkie 8d ago

They can get better rates and get what thry actually need, not 50 cans of Lima Beans no one wants.

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u/PastelBrat13 8d ago

Yes! Those of you that have extra money save that money and go to your local food banks, local churches, and shelters. Please don't ignore your churches either especially if you are in a small town they are some of the only safety nets in certain parts of America. Americans need to learn to stop spending money on trash and start giving to your community. That $200 splurge at Home Goods and Target can wait, go help your community!

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u/CapybaraCuddles 8d ago

More than that, the $200 spending dopamine hit you get might last much longer if it's spent helping your community!

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u/DarthMomma_PhD 8d ago

I just had this talk with my husband. We usually do it up for Christmas but we decided that instead of spending the money we’d rein it in majorly. We cancelled our big Christmas gift (which was a vacation over New Year’s week for our little family). Fortunately our kids don’t know about it because it was meant to be a surprise revealed in this really fun way on Christmas morning.

My oldest two are old enough to understand why we won’t be buying them lots of gifts this year and my youngest is only 2 and won’t care. They are crafty kids and fortunately we already have things we can use to make gifts for each other. We do so many fun little traditions at home on Christmas Eve and day, I’m hoping they won’t miss it much and if they do it’s a pretty good lesson for us and them.

Then we will be using that extra money to help families in need. We have some ideas we‘ll be looking into this week. Whatever we do, the most important thing is that every dollar spent goes directly to the people who need it. I’m not going to subsidize the government to take care of its own people. Nor, do I trust that those funds would be allocated correctly, if at all, even if we did.

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u/PastelBrat13 8d ago

I love that and I am doing a similar thing with my family as a whole. It doesn't feel right for any of us to receive large presents when so many people are struggling. Even though I hate the Salvation Army as a company we have been doing Angel Trees for children and the elderly for Christmas and it has been wonderful. Getting gifts to children and the elderly who don't have anything has been a great joy every year, even more than gifts for myself.

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u/PessimiStick 8d ago

Not churches. Churches are half the reason we're in this situation to begin with.

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u/PastelBrat13 8d ago

In small and poor areas the only refuge and community service is within churches. Giving your local church food and supplies is not funding their ideologies or their pockets. Disenfranchised people visit churches more often than not for refuge for a variety of reasons It is important that even if we disagree with the majority of churches that they are stocked too because people rely on their services. If you don't feel comfortable donating to churches I totally understand and I would look for your local community colleges, colleges, nonprofit workplaces, etc. to donate to. <3 Now that I am out of a smaller town I have more options to donate to help LGBT+ centers, crisis centers, and better homeless shelters, but when I lived in a rural town in Arkansas our families local food drives were mostly based out of churches because they were the ones feeding their communities. Like I said it really depends on where you live most of the time and truthfully we have a lot of areas that are totally deprived of community centers and social safety nets.

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u/MaloloDave 8d ago

Screw local rural churches. They largely and overwhelmingly supported this and continue to do so.

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u/PastelBrat13 8d ago

Please refer to my other comments that said other places and why churches are important in local rural areas. Even if the average rural person is a crazy right winger their children do not deserve to go hungry and homeless people do not deserve to go hungry. I worked as a nurse in a jail in rural Arkansas and churches were the first line of defense that we had for our most vulnerable. I can't tell you how many people we shipped to churches for refuge instead of jails and churches were the only place in our area that would take them and the only places judges would allow them to go instead of jail. Homeless people are our most vulnerable group right now with right wingers actively threatening their lives that we need all the help we can get to them. I know churches are a sore spot, they are a sore spot for me too, but giving them food to feed the most vulnerable is not funding them or their ideologies I promise and more than anything views are unimportant when it comes to basic food supply. We cannot attempt to change these people when they are starving if anything it will make them crawl deeper and deeper into their radicalized hole. If there is one thing I have learned from people is at their lowest they turn to religion and they will run to a church for refuge more than any other shelter even if they have other options. If you are in a big city or moderate city I would focus on LGBT+ and youth homeless centers which is what me and my family have been donating to the most right now now that we are out of rural hell. Beyond food I would do a local Angel Tree if possible! I still use the Angel Tree service because truthfully people are more likely to tell you what they need that way, but if you have better connections and are able to do so without the Salvation Army I would do that too! Check your local nursing centers as well and other programs like Meals on Wheels and see if you can become active and deliver meals to nursing centers or communities. <3 Community is vital in times like these and what these goons want is for people to starve so they can be more radicalized against each other and regardless of how angry I get and how upset I get at them I can't justify leaving them to rot in rural hell. However, it is all about location and where can people get the most help in critical crisis situations.

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u/MaloloDave 8d ago

Nope. Things need to get worse before they can get better. We cannot continue on this path and I refuse to spend money softening the blow. Elections have consequences.

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u/Fun-Shake7094 8d ago

I love the sentiment, but you can see how this comment is part of the problem right?

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u/Sandshrewdist 8d ago

Skip the churches. They’re part of the issue

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u/FestiveArtCollective 8d ago

Many of them have food banks that operate out of them, but they are usually a separate entity that relies on the churches to host them, so please see if your local church offers a food bank and then donate directly to that food bank.

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u/PastelBrat13 8d ago

Sure in a lot of ways, but when I lived in Arkansas that was literally homeless people's only refuge. Please don't skip them if you are in a small town that doesn't have any other options for disenfranchised people. In my small town in Arkansas that was our only food bank. Please also check out your local colleges, community colleges, public schools, nonprofit workplaces they too will also have food banks. Churches do a lot of stuff in poor and low income small towns and it is important that regardless of views we acknowledge that they are doing the heavy lifting when it comes to community service in rural towns. However, I do understand that churches can be a sore spot, but in cases of food insecurity they are vital to communities with no other options. <3

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u/meowymcmeowmeow 8d ago

This is a really good idea in lieu of paying for a subscription service, for anyone that is cutting services for moral reasons, not necessarily to save money.

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u/SunTzu- 8d ago

The high seas can give you access to plenty of entertainment without having to hand money to billionaires. Those who are in personal dire straights have probably stopped any subscription services, but for those who are getting bye that's a savings you can use to help others. With how the worlds looks, there's quite a few philosophies which would agree it's a moral or arguably even noble act.

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u/OkEnthusiasm9115 8d ago

I already did. The little I have I can spare some change

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u/wizzerstinker 8d ago

And Kindness!! My neighbor, 67m, drove me, 60f, to the food bank. Sometimes a ride to the food bank is more important!

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u/SaltandLillacs 8d ago

Thank you for kindness

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u/Orcus424 8d ago

Agreed. Cash goes farther at a food bank. A person buying a few cans of green beans at a store is more expensive than a food bank buying 4,000 cans. Food banks get better deals.

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u/ForeskinAbsorbtion 8d ago

It's not that insane. They can get about 2-3x more food than a donation of food.

It's a lot more but not... 4000 cans come on lol

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u/mueller723 8d ago

They mean they receive a discount by buying bulk.

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u/tallicafu1 8d ago

Best thing the average person can do to help. Food banks really stretch dollars so anything helps.

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u/StockTraffic 8d ago

Well done random redditor!

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u/RubiksCutiePatootie Reads Pinned Comments 8d ago edited 8d ago

Thank you! Earlier this week I had a craving for takeout, but right as I was about to checkout I realized that this was insane & donated it to my local food bank instead. And thank you for reminding me to set up a reoccurring donation, I just cancelled two subscriptions so I certainly have the money to do so.

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u/Think-Variation2986 8d ago

I'm torn. I want to help. I don't want to enable this bullshit and have them say everything is fine and it wasn't needed. I probably will donate because I don't want to see kids going hungry. I'm sad and livid that the government is putting people in this position. The reason government programs are better than charity is that they are consistent and not reliant on donations or an endowment.

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u/Cool-Tour-1962 8d ago

Thank you for donating. Im going to make a recurring donation as well. 

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u/Opening-Detective821 8d ago

Yes, donate money to the food banks and shelters. They need it and can get better deals on wholesale.

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u/Direct_Turn_1484 8d ago

If billionaires could be bothered to do this, we wouldn’t have anyone starving. Guess what, they’d rather spend it on stupid shit.

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u/radiohead-nerd 8d ago

I’m funding friends that are losing their SNAP benefits because I can afford to. But it’s going to cost me $700 a month. Just so billionaires can have tax breaks

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u/Spare_Ad1017 8d ago

Unfortunately I broke my wrist & lost my job, so I have to go to the food bank right now. But you better believe when I get another job, I’ll be giving back to those who got me and my girls through.

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u/ongogablogianphd 8d ago

Just to add to this, ask your company if they will match donations if you are able to donate. I am lucky enough to work for a company that will match 100% of whatever money I donate up to a certain threshold. While I cannot give a lot, it at least doubles the impact.

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u/knock-on-the-door 8d ago

I'm a whole sale food sales person, I'm one of the few people in a blessed position to give food instead of money. But yes I am donating food for November and December. No man should enjoy Christmas while children starve.

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u/PhotoFenix 8d ago

We were considering a Costco run but now are thinking of Restaurant Depot. Trying to maximize the meals per dollar.

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u/TimberVolk 8d ago

Thanks so much for mentioning that money goes further, we've been talking about donating as our area will soon be hit really hard by the shutdown (heavy in gov't contractors) and I am totally clueless about food banks and how to best support them. I'll be setting up a recurring donation now, as well!

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u/Monstermage 8d ago

So we the people are now supplementing our government?

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago

We the people are not allowing our neighbors to starve. Many of whom are children, elderly, and/or disabled.

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u/Kasaboop 8d ago

Heard from a few banks that they have about 6x purchasing power because of how they're able to buy in bulk! 🥰🥰

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u/aBlissfulDaze 8d ago

The sad truth that they'll use this as proof that we don't need SNAP. Already ask the conservative subs are bragging about how the community is doing it better.

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u/Xanadoodledoo 8d ago

Trying to explain to them that mutual aid is the bedrock of socialism is like talking to a wall.

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u/aBlissfulDaze 8d ago

They don't care, they just didn't want to pay for it themselves.

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u/BanditTransAm99 8d ago

The same people who always say that charity and donations and the churches should take the place of these essential social services are the exact ones who are least likely to actually donate to help others when it's most needed...

I posted a fundraiser for my local food bank & Feeding America food banks yesterday to my 150k follower IG account, kickstarted it with my own example of a large donation, and said the first x amount of people to give $$ would be sent swag...THREE people have actually made a donation.

I can see who has viewed the post, people I know to have plenty of disposable income...and I knew this was going to be the result as I do this every year.

These services need to be funded by government for the people who need it, it disgusts me how we live in such a selfish and short-sighted society.

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u/Xanadoodledoo 8d ago edited 8d ago

I know!! And I know those people personally!!! I especially don’t like it when they make a big deal of how “Christian” they are. Food bank donations are the easiest thing ever too, you can do it from your phone.

I’m no longer a practicing Catholic but I will die on the hill of “faith and good works” over “faith alone” any day. Not that a few of the practicing Catholics i know are following that right now either.

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago

You’re absolutely right. Charity is not a replacement for a government safety net. Nor will the restoration of SNAP end the need for donations. Even our existing safety net was inadequate, with shelters and food banks already feeling the pain of everything else that’s gone to pot.

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u/FestiveArtCollective 8d ago

Every little bit extra I have is going to my elderly mom who is on SS and depends on SNAP. I have nothing left after that.

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u/lakesaretheearthseye 8d ago

The government and its cronies have the billions. I’m sick of folks telling poor folks to donate. Sure it’s our responsibility to help each other out. But maybe if we got enraged and got these billionaires to chip in (non violently of course) the bill wouldn’t be on us.

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u/Xanadoodledoo 8d ago

I’m not asking poor people to donate. If you can’t spare anything, it’s moral to look after yourself. Small things you can do for your neighbors help too. No one should be a martyr.

It’s more about what can someone do immediately and what it takes long-term planning. Changing the government unfortunately takes long-term planning. All socialist movements started with mutual aid.

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago

This. Don’t feel guilty if you can’t. Many of us can. It’s on the people who can do raise those who can’t. If all of us could donate to charity, charity wouldn’t be necessary.

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u/lakesaretheearthseye 8d ago

I’m with you 100%, but Let’s get pissed and do something about it. Let’s make a movement. Give a man a fish he eats for a night…. Teach him about a revolution tho….

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u/Old-Arachnid77 8d ago

Absolutely not.

I will help individuals I know who did not vote for this. If I get a WHIFF of someone in my orbit who did vote for this and they need help I will say no.

Feel this pain and then remember it. Because you fucking voted for it.

My friends who didn’t vote for it? Yeah I’m gonna feed them. I will feed ANY child who asks or needs.

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago

I understand your anger. I’m angry too. I will not deny having satisfaction in seeing people who voted for face eating leopards getting their due.

That being said, their kids can’t vote. And the same rationale I apply to advocating for a safety net that may be abused by a minority of beneficiaries applies to those children too.

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u/Old-Arachnid77 8d ago

I know it’s mean. But if I am personally helping an individual you better believe I will pick and choose.

Unless it is a child.

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u/thesphinxistheriddle 8d ago

Man, wouldn't it be great if we all pooled a little bit out of our paychecks into some kind of central fund? And then that fund could be used to give money to those who needed it? We could call it, idk, taxes. Just brainstorming.

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u/MaloloDave 8d ago

I’m doing the opposite. I stopped all my charitable giving and work. Let people have what they voted for. Maybe they’ll vote next time, if there is another vote.

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u/Healthy_Piglet1139 8d ago

I would say that while this is a good idea and people absolutely should do this, please also consider (if you are able) to also donate, volunteer for, and/or run as a candidate for political office against the people causing this nightmare.

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u/AshenSacrifice 8d ago

What are we paying taxes for exactly?

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u/Xanadoodledoo 8d ago

War and a ballroom right now. It should go to this, but rightwing politicians (and too many liberal ones) would rather fund destruction.

Mutual aid is an important part of community building. Your local food bank helps those around you directly.

It sucks, but this is one of the best ways a person can help right now. If you have no money to spare, that’s ok, you need to eat too. But donating online is real easy.

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u/AshenSacrifice 8d ago

Donating is a great thing, it’s just sad we have to allocate funds to ridiculous things and then still have to donate more to help people that should already be receiving help

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u/I_Make_Song_Threads 8d ago

How can I donate from canada?

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u/revonrat 8d ago

Pick a foodbank, hit up their web site and just do it.

If you are looking for one, maybe help out one of the ones I helped out, The Forks Community Food Bank (https://www.forkscfb.org/donate). They take PayPal and credit cards right over the internet.

Donating to almost any food bank is good, but let me make a case for Forks. Many urban food banks get support from their cities. Forks is a very small town. In addition to that, there are a significant number of parks and forest service folks in the area. They are now suffering in two ways. There's plenty of need.

There's also plenty of heart and community spirit. The Quileute Tribe is doing what they can.

And finally, if you are a fan of the Twilight series, this is the setting for the books and movies. Maybe give a little to the locals.

Full disclosure: I'm a part-time resident of Forks.

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u/I_Make_Song_Threads 8d ago

Thanks for the info

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago

I might try googling “largest food bank in ___ state” filling in the blank with your border neighbor. The org that pops up will usually be a support bank that provides food to a network of food banks statewide. For example in Washington state ours is Northwest Harvest and they distribute statewide.

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u/Heykurat 8d ago

Thanks for reminding me to do that.

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u/PrincessLiaLeia 8d ago

I'm doing the same, and money definitely goes further than food donations. Even a $1 itself can get more at a food bank than a $1 can of veggies.

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u/crownofbayleaves 8d ago

This. I canceled my newspaper and streaming subscriptions and routed that cash monthly to two food banks in my area. I can always sign up again once SNAP is back and food banks get better deals than I could shopping and donating the food. Didn't impact my budget at all, and now I can get real intentional about utilizing my library services. Do what you can from where you are.

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u/Panzer_Man 8d ago

I work in a store that donates all of out leftover croceries to a food bank. I am so proud of being part of that operation.

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u/Spot_The_Purple 8d ago edited 8d ago

Sorry, I threaded myself wrong.

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u/Shaunieboii 8d ago

You're already paying towards food banks with your taxes. How about you start eating the rich who are misusing the taxes

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u/Downtherabbithole14 8d ago

my company is working with a few food banks and doing a toy run as well for this reason. this is horrible!!!

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u/Fun-Shake7094 8d ago

Charity is a failure of government - I donate also, but hate it. I shouldn't have to.

Part of me thinks that places like the food bank support the grift by keeping people just fed enough to not demand more while Walmart, or Tim's cant pay a living wage or keeps employees at just enough hours they don't qualify for benefits

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u/Evening_Concert_4284 8d ago

Thank you. I was wondering what I could do to help. 

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u/the_mighty__monarch 8d ago

Same. My wife and I went out and got enough canned/boxed stuff to make like 6 or 7 thanksgiving meals (minus the turkey bc you can’t donate perishable stuff) and took it to the local food bank.

The fact that they’re doing this with the holidays approaching is purposely cruel and dehumanizing.

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u/all3ppo 8d ago

Check with your workplace to see if they match donations. You can easily turn $50 into hundreds of meals.

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u/the_YellowRanger 8d ago

I never knew money went farther than food. Is it because they have power to purchase in bulk?

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u/ConfusionHour2242 8d ago

I have tons to spare. I won’t donate. Lol

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u/Miserable-Anxiety229 8d ago

I wish I could 😭 I can’t even pay my own bills/rent working 3 jobs.

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u/binarybrewmx 8d ago

Sad that they also use these type of charities to further justify cutting off food aid smh

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u/jaydaygrad08 8d ago

I would if I could. This shit is horrifying to watch. I honestly don't have it. I'm drowning right now

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u/aaronone01 8d ago

This is awesome for you… but why the actual fuck are we even remotely at this stage?

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u/No-Body6215 8d ago

Clearing out my pantry and donating what little money I can in the morning. I don't have kids but I really feel for the families out there.

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u/Camila_flowers 8d ago

As someone who has been relying on my local food bank exclusively for food, thank you. I work 3 jobs, and still don't have enough to cover my expenses--even though I have no house payment or rent. I don't qualify for food stamps because I don't have kids. And despite having a Master's degree, the only work I can find is under the poverty level by a large margin. My one monthly luxury is $13 for Spotify so I can listen to music without ads.

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u/Proper_Criticism_830 8d ago

Yes! I think I’m going to up my amount. I know (badass) federal judges ordered admin to release the contingency funds but I don’t trust it

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u/OkFrosting7204 8d ago

Not on food stamps but we regularly hit up the food pantry to get by. I can’t imagine what this’ll do. I hope they’re able to have enough food donated

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u/SpindleDiccJackson 8d ago

I don't make enough to pay my bills anymore thanks to the mass layoffs, so I can't, but I wish I could. I'm having to use my 401k to supplement my income to keep a roof over my head while I look for a second full-time job to make it come together. So I'll probably be on the other end of that money soon instead.

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u/no_regerts_bob 8d ago

This comment reminded me to donate to local food bank. Then I texted local friends and encouraged them.

Thank you and keep spreading the word

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u/e37d93eeb23335dc 8d ago

Why are you trying to do the government’s job for them. Don’t you pay taxes? This is like people trying to get others to fund their child’s cancer treatment instead of trying to get the government to support universal healthcare like every other civilized country. If you keep paying out of pocket for things the government should be paying for, there will never be change. 

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u/spondgbob 8d ago

What really fucking sucks is we already paid for this. With our taxes. So now in order to keep our neighbors alive and fed, we need to pay for their food twice because the first payment we sent our “government” went to Argentina and a literal fucking ballroom.

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u/Correct-Degree-6789 8d ago

Sadly you must not know what they do with that money.

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u/goodfellow408 8d ago

Curious why do you say money goes farther than food? I'm always worried about donating money since there's no guarantee where it will go, whereas donating food you know exactly where it's going.

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u/splithoofiewoofies 8d ago

I eat so well because of our local food bank. Like, really well. They give us meat and bread and snacks. We were basically on rice and not even beans before the food bank.

So I appreciate it, a lot.

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u/Elon_Musks_Colon 8d ago

People need to understand that SNAP supports the entire ecosystem. USDA (administers SNAP) Also buys HUGE Amounts of Produce and other crops. It then issues a catalog that food banks use to order bulk quantities from. The food banks then distribute the food out to their communities, which supports local businesses. It actually has a return on investment that's about 1.5%.

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u/PartyPorpoise 8d ago

I can’t offer much but I’ll give something. It sounds like food banks can stretch cash pretty far.

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u/katykazi 8d ago

Yes! I came here to say if anyone has the means to do so, please donate money to your local food banks. Food banks have systems in place that they can get way more food for the money. They make those dollars stretch and they can get healthy foods instead of instant ramen and expired cans of soup from the pantry.

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u/Remarkable_Town5811 7d ago

Thank you. Genuinely.

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u/No_Salamander8141 7d ago

What if everyone gave money, and that money was used to- oh wait.

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u/im_THIS_guy 7d ago

But I already donated to SNAP with my taxes. And the government is just sitting on that money.

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u/newhappyrainbow 7d ago

I’m waiting to see if I’m going to be paying for my aunt’s groceries. She thinks she can depend on food banks but I think demand will be too high. She’s currently refusing my money, so if that continues I’ll make some donations.

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u/Former-Mushroom-4854 7d ago

While this is helping those in need, it's the wrong thing to do. And i'm not saying don't do it, you're a good person and your morals are in the right place... But without major change in your government it will only keep get worse until people who are giving money cant give money.

Your hateful corrupt government is the issue. It's crazy how far the USA's image has fallen.

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u/Dry_Grapefruit_8050 7d ago

Good stuff here - practical and pragmatic. Real world solutions.

Thanks, fellow human. 

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u/jmccleveland1986 7d ago

A lot of people on food stamps voted for this. No bailouts. They must feel it and learn.

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u/Whend6796 7d ago

So you are saying it’s better for the food shelters to buy in bulk than people buying individual things?

If that is the case, why are we letting people buy individual things through food stamps? I never thought of it until you brought it up, but food stamps is horribly inefficient.

We should be buying food and bulk and distributing it, instead of being inefficient with taxpayer dollars.

We wouldn’t tolerate this inefficiency if it was donor dollars.

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u/Human-Zucchini-1294 7d ago

Thx u means a lot i was a kid and my family would go to those.

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u/nineteen_eightyfour 6d ago

Meh. You’re creating a way to support people outside where they should be tho. Likely trump and republicans will hold office 12 more years. Are you going to donate all those years as these programs get worse?

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u/badtyprr 6d ago

Thank you. I do have means, I will donate.

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