A Family Struggling

[DOREEN1779]

Hi Everyone,

I know someone who is a single mom with a 4 year old. She is really struggling and is weeks away from eviction. I want to help her out in secret. So my question is..... What groceries would you buy, if you had a $100.00 to spend, that would get you by for a couple of weeks? I was planning to leave them at the door so it would be non-perishable items.

 

[akcire]

Hi Everyone,

I know someone who is a single mom with a 4 year old. She is really struggling and is weeks away from eviction. I want to help her out in secret. So my question is..... What groceries would you buy, if you had a $100.00 to spend, that would get you by for a couple of weeks? I was planning to leave them at the door so it would be non-perishable items.

I'd buy a gift card to the grocery store. Then she can pick and if she gets evicted has the card to spend. That said, food assistance is probaby the easiest form of assistance to get (at least in my area). I would also consider giving a gift card to a gas station (there is no where to get free gas) if she has a car.

Finally if you are in a cold weather climate I would consider spending the money on cold weather gear for the child.

 

[mercydisney]

Hi Everyone,

I know someone who is a single mom with a 4 year old. She is really struggling and is weeks away from eviction. I want to help her out in secret. So my question is..... What groceries would you buy, if you had a $100.00 to spend, that would get you by for a couple of weeks? I was planning to leave them at the door so it would be non-perishable items.

If you are planning to spend $100. on groceries can you instead put the $100in envelope and put it in her mailbox? This way she can put the money towards her rent or what she really needs to pay 1st.

You are a great person.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Assuming that produce would be ok and not knowing their tastes:

Peanut butter
apples
Oranges
chicken or tuna (canned)
pasta
sauce
potatoes
juice
granola bars
beans
canned mixed veggies
rice
pancake mix
syrup

 

[amylevan]

Soup always seems like a good plan. They can contain protein and veggies.

Boxes of pasta and some sauce.

A bag of potatoes and maybe some apples.

Knowing she has a 4 yr old, I'd probably throw in some boxes of mac n cheese, fruit cups, some crackers and maybe a box of cookies or other snack that the child probably doesn't get to experience much of.

Toilet paper.

 

[trinchick]

Do you trust her judgment? Could you leave her a grocery store gift card?

Does her child participate in any program (Head Start or preschool) where lunch or breakfast or snacks are provided? As a mom, I know my first concern would be for my child, so I'm thinking of things like peanutbutter, pasta and sauce, apple sauce, breakfast cereals/oatmeal, macaroni and cheese mix. Otherwise, maybe some meal stretchers that wouldn't require her to add meat, such as canned tuna, canned soups, pancake mix.

If she goes to a food pantry already, she may get some of these things and be grateful for some fresh fruit or veggies - apples, bananas, potatoes, carrots, broccoli would all probably be OK if left outside for a while.

Good luck - and thanks for helping someone out. It helps us all out when people take care of one another.

 

[happygirl]

hamburger
hot dogs
bag of taters
Rice
Soup
fruit
cereal
pasta
baking mix
Bread
peanut butter and jelly
cheese
canned veggies

 

[DOREEN1779]

She has had a lot of bad luck and has made a lot of poor choices along the way so tha's why I don't feel comfortable giving her cash. She's also a smoker and couldn't be sure the gift card or cash would be spent on that habit.

Doreen

 

[akcire]

She has had a lot of bad luck and has made a lot of poor choices along the way so tha's why I don't feel comfortable giving her cash. She's also a smoker and couldn't be sure the gift card or cash would be spent on that habit.

Doreen

This is one of the reasons why I miss gift certificates at my major grocery store chain the certificates specifically stated they could not be used for alcohol or cigarettes (substance abuse addicted cousin who lived in a half way house, and these were a safe gift). Now with gift cards there are no restrictions.

I am not a moralist, but if I am helping someone I don't want to support their bad habits. It also seems like I have different ideas of needs than others and I don't want to give someone money so they can pay their cable bill. A friend of mine is a pastor and this was a recent request from a church member, for help paying their cable bill.

 

[nunzia]

This is one of the reasons why I miss gift certificates at my major grocery store chain the certificates specifically stated they could not be used for alcohol or cigarettes (substance abuse addicted cousin who lived in a half way house, and these were a safe gift). Now with gift cards there are no restrictions.

I am not a moralist, but if I am helping someone I don't want to support their bad habits. It also seems like I have different ideas of needs than others and I don't want to give someone money so they can pay their cable bill. A friend of mine is a pastor and this was a recent request from a church member, for help paying their cable bill.

I work at a church and the things we asked to give to are sometimes wacky (from people off the street, not our members) and last week someone wanted help paying for their storage unit....oookkkkk. Anyway, our local store has food vouchers we give to people..they are stamped with "not good for tobacco, alcohol or gasoline', so if you have a hometown type store that might work. If you just want to make sure they have some staples, above suggestions are what I'd do also.

 

[figment3258]

I know where you are coming from. My much older half sister came into finacial problems when I was growing up and my dad would help her out she had 3 little ones at the time. First they would give her cash. Then we later found out she hired a baby sitter who is my cousin and went out to dinner. So they next time she came begging we asked what she needed and we went to the grocery store and bought the supplies and then delivered them.

You have a wonderful big heart it's great that there are still people like you out there to lend a helping hand

I would suggest can goods maybe some fresh fruit that will no spoil easily like bananas apples oranges

Bread maybe a frozen complete meal?

Paper good like to and paper towels

Maybe tooth paste for the little one?

Whatever you decide will be a help to them.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

She has had a lot of bad luck and has made a lot of poor choices along the way so tha's why I don't feel comfortable giving her cash. She's also a smoker and couldn't be sure the gift card or cash would be spent on that habit.

Doreen

If that is the way she is I would stick to things you know her child would eat. This way you are helping her child for sure. Applesauce, fruit cups, pasta, pasta sauce, fruit/veg that will not spoil fast, bread, peanut butter, etc.

 

[Sinderelly]

She should be able to get food stamps. Food stamps do not cover items such as : toilet paper, soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, tylenol, feminine products, clothing, warm blankets etc. Maybe you could mix some of these items with a few food items. Bless you for wanting to help someone in need.

 

[casndan]

I work at a church and the things we asked to give to are sometimes wacky (from people off the street, not our members) and last week someone wanted help paying for their storage unit....oookkkkk. Anyway, our local store has food vouchers we give to people..they are stamped with "not good for tobacco, alcohol or gasoline', so if you have a hometown type store that might work. If you just want to make sure they have some staples, above suggestions are what I'd do also.

I don't think that the storage unit is that odd, they could be living with friends or relatives and therefore have no where to put their belongings.

 

[Kitzka]

She has had a lot of bad luck and has made a lot of poor choices along the way so tha's why I don't feel comfortable giving her cash. She's also a smoker and couldn't be sure the gift card or cash would be spent on that habit.

Doreen

Not sure where you live or what grocery store are in your area but in my area the gift cards for our grocery stores specificlly say can not be used for cigarettes and alchololic drinks.

if that is the case maybe get her the gift card (if it has the restrictions) or maybe get a cooler fill it with some meats (fill it with ice) and get:
taco fixins, yopgurt, milk, eggs, cheese.

i know you said non perisibles but it may be harder for her to make a healthy meal out of those items.

Lara

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Does this lady receive WIC assistance? If not, I would suggest that perhaps you give her some help to get her on the program. (Call to make the appointment, give her a ride to the appointment)

On WIC, you get bread, milk, peanut butter, cereal, cheese, juice, and some money toward fresh veggies or fruit. To supplement, you might want to get some beans, rice, canned meats (Spam, etc), jelly, graham crackers, canned veggies and fruit, applesauce, pasta and pasta sauce, canned soup.

You are an incredibly nice person for doing this!

 

[Kay1]

I don't think that the storage unit is that odd, they could be living with friends or relatives and therefore have no where to put their belongings.

Good thought, Casndan. Maybe there's space at the church, or a member's home, until the person who asked is able to get a home.

 

[scrapquitler]

She has had a lot of bad luck and has made a lot of poor choices along the way so tha's why I don't feel comfortable giving her cash. She's also a smoker and couldn't be sure the gift card or cash would be spent on that habit.

Doreen

Maybe paying toward her rent would be better, and potentially help her avoid being evicted?

 

[fall08CP]

Assuming she has a stove or crockpot (if not, they're only about $5 at Goodwill), dried beans! They're sooooo cheap and versatile! Bean tacos, enchiladas, soups, in pasta, sauces, spreads.. endless possibilities.

I'd cut out meat and possibly dairy- they're more $$ and go bad quickly.

 

[mrseace711]

Aldis shopper here =) We have had to stretch $100 for a family of 6 for 2 weeks before.

We switched to ground turkey to save money and they kids do not notice the difference, now we only use ground turkey because its prefered.

Following is not the healthiest choices but No Food vs Something
Heres what my shopping list would look like. Also Prices are approx. Some prices are different at diff Aldis, also some prices I am recalling from memory so they may be off by .50 or something

Meat:
10 'rolls' of ground turkey $1.29 each = $12.29
1 bag frozen chicken drums = $2.50
1 bag frozen chicken nuggets=$2.99
1 Box Frozen fish sticks = $2.99
1 Bag Frozen Chicken Breasts = $5.99
1 bag frozen turkey meatballs = $2.50
=29.26

Veggies:
6 Bags frozen veggies various .99 cent a bag = $5.94

Breakfast:
2 Old Fashion Oats Oatmeal $1.69 each = $3.38
2 Box cereal $1.89 each = $3.78
2 jars peanut butter .99 ea = $1.98
1 jelly = .99
Pancake Mix(made with water) = $1.29
Syrup = .99
=12.41

Add'l
2 loaves bread .79 = $1.58
2 boxes instant flavored mash potatoes .99 = $1.98
1 bag white rice = $1.69
2 boxes Mac & Cheese = $1.98
2 Jars Spagetti Sauce = $2.58
2 Jars Alfredo Sauce = $3.78
2 Packets of Taco Seasoning = .94
1 pk tortillas = .99
1 bottle BBQ = .99
1 bottle of italian dressing = .99
1 bag shredded cheese = $2.29
1 head lettuce = .99
1 pk lunch meat = .99
1 pk hot dogs = .99
1 pk cheese slices = .99
1 eggs = .99
2 boxes spagetti noodles = 2.38
=27.12

Snacks:
1 bag pretzles = .99
1 box fruit snacks = .99
1 pk of cookies = .99
=2.97

Bananas are cheapest at aldis for us I usually get 2 bunches for 1.50
Bag of apples = 2.99

Grand Total = $82.19

You can throw in some additional special snacks for her son like cheese sticks and yogart. I always buy 2 frozen Pizzas $2.29 each for Friday Nights

Meal ideas = a few taco nights, chicken marinera and spagetti, ground turkey spagetti, shepards pie, chicken alfredo, BBQ Meatballs (our fav) list goes on and she will have cupboards full =)