No one should have to vent about not being able to buy food, especially when I'm sitting on my comfy couch, happily air-conditioning myself into oblivion.

when I am debating about what to do for dinner - no one I know should go with out food.

Sean,

I am happy to help and I will, but can we help you with a long-term strategy? For example, I think you probably can qualify for food bank assistance. If you need any of us to help you research this, I know we would be happy to.

Please don't go crazy, I was mostly just venting, but hunger is also wining, so I'm not going to turn down a little charity (at the same time I'm... not thrilled about needing it).

I've not only been there, I'm still there. It's not charity, it's love. If you lived here I'd take you out or bring you groceries, as my friends and neighbors have done and continue to do. I know you are a proud and private person, but sometimes the strongest thing one can do is admit one needs help.

can we help you with a long-term strategy? For example, I think you probably can qualify for food bank assistance.

Any advice would be welcome. I don't even know where to start with something like that. Not even sure what to Google.

But really, I'm at a loss as far as this long term thing goes. I work, and in good times I do well enough, but not enough to save anything for the lean times (which come about twice a year). But even with long term planning, I think about the super-long term and the unlikelyhood that I'll ever have any retirement savings or real health insurance (even with the SCOTUS ruling, I have little faith the insurance will actually happen in two years like it's supposed to). I think about the future and it looks pretty bleak no matter what I do. So I often wind up not thinking about it.

Sean, eligibility and how to apply for food stamps (aka CalFresh)

[link]

[link]

Meara is on it, but I thought with many food banks you can just go in with proof of identity and perhaps some indication of your income circumstances and get some canned food, etc.

I am not sure where you live, but if you google "food bank" and your zip code, you might be able to see options. I don't think you need food stamp eligibility to receive help from food banks.

I think you are probably food stamp eligible though, so you might want to pursue both options.

I think most food banks don't require any proof of how much you make or how little you have or anything like that. You just go and get a box of food or what not.

This is a link to the California Association of Foodbanks and they have a list of member banks [link]

Thanks, everyone. I have fed and am researching food banks and food stamps. And trying to figure out what long term plans might actually make some kind of a life for me (not that I have the slightest clue).

You're affiliated with the entertainment industry, right? Are there any clearing houses or coalitions that list resources for people with that kind of cyclical income?