Ugly Truth: Most U.S. Citizens Can't Afford Thanksgiving This Year

I don't know about all of you, but I'm a little stressed about the holidays.

Millions are going to have to struggle to have a Thanksgiving. My family included. Sure, there are food banks around here, but honestly? There are people out there who need help more than we do right now - and we refuse to take food out of other people's and children's mouths if we can scrounge up change through our odd sources of income. We even have a few luxuries we can sacrifice, such as Disney+ and Netflix.

This year, I'm thinking about how hard it will be and how much other parents are struggling, and I've come up with a list of little helpful solutions.

My solutions are a call to action as well. And these are not cure-all problems, but every little bit of stress relief goes a long way right now.

Food Banks And Other Food/Basic Needs Shortage Solutions

I am hoping that people who can afford to are sparing thought for the overwhelmed food banks, which are now struggling to keep people fed. If you are someone with some extra money, looking for a tax write-off, or maybe you're genuinely kind, you can donate a crap ton of food to food banks in your area. Make sure they are legit!

If you are struggling to feed yourself or your family, PLEASE seek out some of your local food banks. Everyone needs help. And it's okay that you need help. Especially these days. You know who you are, my prideful, hardworking, majestic but STILL very human and deserving of help when you need it, friends.

If you do not know where your local food banks are, there are several ways you can find them.

• Local churches have always had food and clothes banks in some of them, and more of them are starting to pick up the slack lately.
• Websites to help you find food banks: Feeding America, Food Finder, and Find Help
• Find your local page groups on Facebook *search for your county or town name in the search bar on Facebook, and look for groups* These groups often have announcements in them about community events, including food banks, giveaways. You could have some really generous neighbors. People are even able to get on those groups and ask for help. I have seen my little community, for all it can be hateful, pull together and provide for a family whose whole house was burnt down and lost everything. You never know what kind of treasures you will find on FB and your local FB marketplace.
• Find your local chicken and duck farmers for eggs. Local chicken homesteaders, if they have more chickens than family members, will sell their extra eggs for much cheaper than the grocery stores.
• Consider next year to be the year you actually start a veggie garden like you've been wanting to. I don't think things are going to get better any time soon, friends.
• Contact your local Department of Human Services. Otherwise, not so fondly known as "the food stamp office." They are NOT just a food stamp office. They are literally the HR for human beings in need. They have resources that can help; they may even have a dentist. Our local DHS office now has a PCP Doctor for low-income families. They have access to information you don't know is out there. There are programs that will pay your utility bills if you are about to lose your electricity or water. Do not be afraid to go and speak to them. They are literally there to save your assets when you are in dire straits. But they PREFER you seek them out BEFORE you get to that point.
• Smarter shopping may be a generic cliche advice - but it's true. Not a lot of people are mindful when they shop for groceries, sticking with their preferred brands and habits when shopping. When you are shopping, instead of sticking with your habits, be mindful. Pay attention to deals and sales. Switch to generic homestore brands. Make sure you get into the store's membership program - I know, I know. I hate it too- to be able to clip the coupons and deals that they offer. Go to stores that are notorious for their nickel, dime, and penny sales. Stores like Aldi's, Ollies, Save-A-Lot, etc. Make an effort to go to different stores like this, and you could probably save a pretty decent amount of money.
• Make things from scratch at home - especially essentials. If you have a bread maker or you know how to make bread, utilize that - since bread is literally as expensive as eggs are now, where I live. It's CHEAPER to buy separate ingredients and make food in bulk rather than buy bulk processed and pre-prepped foods. You can make big batches of stews and soups, and even casseroles and such, and freeze leftovers for the future - saving you money on groceries later.
• Buy in bulk. And it's not an exaggeration. I have a 10-pound bag of rice in my kitchen. In the next few days, my man is gonna go to Sam's club and get a 10-pound bag of all-purpose flour, and another of the bread and pizza flour. And maybe a 10-pound bag of sugar too. If you have flour and rice. You can eat. Always. They are cheap and versatile. You can do a BAJILLION things with rice and flour. *Free cooking hack: always rinse your rice off very well before cooking. The starch on the grains makes them sticky if you cook them without washing them first.*

I'll be honest - I saw this crisis coming 11 months ago. Which is why I ramped up on my garden and expanded my chicken coop. The only way the American people are going to get through this is by putting our resentment for each other aside - and coming together again.

It doesn't matter what's happening. If you see someone in need - remember to be a human to that human - in a better way than most people have been lately.

This is the holiday of gratitude according to consumerism that has done it's best to make people forget the gruesome, violent origins of this holiday. Side note: I'm Native American, so Thanksgiving is a little different in my house, but I know many people consider this a mushy happy holiday of gratitude, and I totally respect that positive outlook. I am just hoping American people will HONOR that tradition of love and thankfulness, no matter what political alignment they have.

The least we can do is make sure everyone eats. Not just once a year. But every day. Remember to be kind. And I love you all very much. We're gonna get through this.

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