The other day I got really tired of always scrounging around in the fridge for Tara's leftovers, so I looked up the food banks in the area. There is a Helping Hands food bank just about ten minutes away, so I called them. They said I can come in any day between 11:30 and 12:30 and pick up a bag of groceries. I got directions, and the lady told me to "look for the line".
I thought that meant there would be a long wait, so I brought my current bead project and got there about 10:30. There was no line yet, so I sat in the shade under a tree and did my beading. The "line" didn't even begin forming until about 11:15, and by 12:00 there was no more line, so that's one lesson learned for next time.
The lady told me they'd give me a grocery bag today, and I have to go back on the 28th with my bills and stuff to qualify. I actually got two bags, because there is one bag already made up by the bank, and then there is lots of fresh produce to go through and fill up a second bag. You also get a hot lunch served on the day that you are there.
I was really happy with it. The produce was great; grapes, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes. And the pre-packed grocery bag had all kinds of canned veggies, tuna fish, those Lipton noodles side dishes, granola bars, instant oatmeal, tomato sauce, spaghetti and bread. The kinds of things I would actually buy. And I think they had a freezer with meat in it too, because I heard a lady asking about it.
I wonder how often I can go? I guess they'll tell me that at my interview on the 28th. And I'll ask about the meat on that day too. I'll let you know how the interview goes.
Cat
