u/Piano_Mantis

I went to a food pantry for the first time today. I lost my job more than a year ago. I've been dipping into my savings for more than a year. For the first time, I went to my local food pantry. I'm feeling guilty about that, but I'm also really grateful for what's available.

I came home with enough food for a whole week, and I want to cry because I'm so relieved. But I can't stop feeling guilty because I feel like I'm not "poor enough".

Have any of you used food pantries?

Edit: Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments. You have really turned a difficult day into one where I feel so touched by the kindness and encouragement of strangers. It really warms my heart knowing that there's so much good will in the world. Thank you all for your kind words and good wishes, and thank you for supporting others. I feel so much better about accepting the support from my community, and I am determined to give back by volunteering my time now and donating items when I'm back on my feet.

I know this is late, but I just wanted to say a few things about that show.

I was lucky enough to wind up being basically the third row from the front. But that wasn't assured.

When my husband and I arrived, we were in the fifth row. We were happy with that. But then we had three people push in front of us right before the band took the stage.

Now, I'm sorry if this makes me seem rigid, but I feel like if it's that important to you to be that close to the stage you should arrive and stake your spot earlier.

I said to my husband that I was going to say "Excuse me" to the people who had said "Excuse me" to us because how could they deny my getting in front of them when they had just done the same to me.

My husband didn't want to cause a problem. It was the KID (16-18) next to us who reclaimed her/their spot from someone who pushed in front of her/them that gave me (a 40-something woman) the courage to reclaim my spot.

I never cut in front of anyone who was there before I was, but I wound up being in the third row back, and I owe it all to that incredibly brave and cool kid who had more courage than I did.

I did get to tell her/them that they had inspired me, but I really hope they keep that strength throughout their life.

Also, I was right behind a group of kids (I'm guessing anywhere from 17 to 23) who were all waving Pride flags and dressed in ways that signified queerness. They knew every single lyric, even better than I did! And they seemed like the kindest group of friends, swapping with one another so everyone got a chance to be in the front row.

It warmed my heart that people so young were such huge fans! And that both Johns acknowledged and celebrated Pride month.

It was just an incredibly loving and delightful time!

Through no fault of my own, I have come into the possession of a whole frozen chicken (with a sack of entrails and all). I've never had to deal with such a thing, so I'm asking two questions:

1. What's the best way to stretch this whole carcass?

2. How do I deal with the entrails and not mess this up? (Help, I'm intimidated!)

I have an instapot, if that helps.