So my partner and I have been getting food from a food bank, because, no $$$
But the EXTREME differences between us getting food now, and back when we needed food as Mormons, is astronomical and brought me to tears.
As Mormons, to get help from the church, we had to;
-Meet with our Bishop and explain in detail our financial situation and what steps we were taking to attempt to fix it. It was humiliating.
-Confirm that yes, we had been steadfast members, and yes, we have fasted and prayed for help.
-Wait for the Bishop to decide if we qualified for help, and talk to him again the following week as he thought and prayed about it.
-Bishop told us we needed to "turn to our families" for help first. At this time neither of us were on speaking terms with our family/were comfortable asking them for help.
-I asked the Bishop why we couldn't get help, and how we had both been giving the church 10% of our income our whole lives and were told part of that went to help people in our situation. At this time we were still paying the church instead of buying food.
-Bishop gave us money out of his own pocket and finally agreed we could get food from the church's local storehouse. Pretty sure he could tell we were about to reach our breaking point.
-THEN we had to fill out forms and ask for a food order. When we went to get it, a person with a clipboard followed us around the entire time to make sure we didn't take too much; they also had a sign stating they would ask you to leave if you were dressed "immodestly" because it could "distract the workers".
Last week, we needed food, and this was our experience.
-husband went to food bank; sign said "bring a box". Husband told a volunteer he didn't have a box.
-Volunteer said "a truck is just a box on wheels" and loaded him up with food. So much food.
No shame, no guilt-tripping, no "well are you trying to fix it?" My partner wasn't questioned in his ability to provide, we weren't shamed. Fuck, they gave us chocolate. We both about broke down and cried. It was such a relief to just be helped unconditionally.