132 MEALS FOR $37 | Emergency Extreme Grocery Budget Haul 2020

Hello friends, my name is Christine, and welcome to Frugal Fit Mom! Today we are tackling a twist on the extreme grocery budget challenge by recreating a box from the local food pantry and seeing what we can make. Volunteer with me, shop with me, and check out what's for dinner at our house.

Recipes

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[FrugalFitMom]

Hello everyone! There seems to be some confusion about the cost breakdown on this video. I did not include the cost of the box items from the food pantry because they would have been free for anyone picking up the box. I shopped at Walmart in order to recreate the box. Although the additional items I added to make the meals I already had in the house, I did add the cost of those ingredients to my total spent - which was $37 total. So if you had $37 to add to the items in the box, you could make these same exact meals.


All that being said, every food pantry is different and there is no guarantee that this is what you will end up with. After speaking with Jessica, who runs the food pantry, she said so many times people get the box and have no idea how to cook with beans or a bag of potatoes or a whole turkey. My whole goal is to help people learn how to incorporate these services and foods and how to put together inexpensive meals that taste good.



Thank you!

[krystenwoods]

i love that you recreated the box instead of taking a box

[brandyt]

It is very VERY important that we check our biases on how things look. When my mother escaped her severely abusive husband with my younger sister and Me we had a brand new car and nice clothes and literally NOTHING else. I’m glad you added that clip in.

[patriciatzai]

I love this video! Your attitude is so refreshing and down to earth. What the director said about not judging people who come for food is so true. You have NO idea what other people are going through. People who have nice cars may have lost jobs and the pantry is helping them get through a tough time (should they get rid of their car they ruin their chances of getting back on their feet). Don’t judge, you may some day be in the same situation.

[kaydeebug]

I actually went to this food bank and got this food, extremely grateful. Going through some tough times, which is why I found your channel in the first place

[jessicajasso]

Hi from México! With the refried beans you can make "molletes"... Thats Just like the pizzas you made, but instead of tomato sauce you put the refried beans and the cheese on top, then to the oven... You eat it with salsa and or avocado 🤤🤤
Super Easy and delicious

[jenniferlester]

Christine, I know these kind of videos take you forever to make, edit, and post. I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate you. Thank you!

[Jaydit]

I love these Extreme Grocery Hauls, especially this one regarding Food Pantries. I know some young people/single parents, trying to feed kids from the local Food Pantries, and I'll get a call "How do I feed my kids with I've started sending them to your channel, because your attitude is so down-to-earth and not Judging....You are a blessing.

[stefanieo]

I remember when my family hit hard times whilst i was in high school. My mom was ashamed to go to a food bank but a lovely neighbor went on their own and surprised us with boxes. I'd get so happy to receive fresh vegetables 🤗. This is a great video ❤

[winterlighthome]

I LOVE that you included that part about wondering about the woman's fancy car.

Years ago, I overheard 2 thrift shop employees muttering a comment about an older woman who was shopping for cheap, used clothes. The customer had pulled up in a supernice car. One employee muttered to the other, "Why does she shop here if she can drive a car like that?" They didn't count on the old woman having good hearing. She called them out, "I shop here so I can drive a car like that." I got a wicked cackle out of that comeback!

[handigurl]

I benefitted from a program like this many years ago as a dv survivor leaving with my 4 kids. I will forever be grateful to the kindness I was shown. ❤

[candleduck]

If your celery is limp, cut off the top and bottom, lay in a dish covered in water. It rejuvenates and gets its crunch back!
If romaine lettuce goes soft, cut off the end, and place in a cup of with 1 inch of water, it rejuvenates and gets its crunch back! =) (kind of like putting cut flowers in water, same idea)

[aruano]

i just learned about the mashed potato flakes to thicken up the soups! Such a great tip.

[spittingkitty]

Paused at 0:30 to immediately give a thumbs up for volunteering at the food pantry and the innovative video idea! Now back to the video. :)

[Veronica-fctd]

I grew up depending on the food box. Even in my adult life I had have to rely on it a few times. I started crying as soon as you explained what you are doing. Thank you.

[jlam]

I love how real you are. It is refreshing to see relatable content instead of glamorous/expensive foods catered for social media. I am thankful to have found your channel. Keep up the good work :)

[rosegroshek]

What an amazing place. It’s nice they don’t question people. I remember when I needed food help, my local pantry made me do an hour long interview, and told me because I didn’t have kids, they didn’t understand why I was struggling so much. It really hurt. You are an amazing lady and teaching people how to stretch money, when they may feel hopeless, and not judging people for not eating crazy healthy meals.

[eggsmarie]

This was a great video - thank you for de-stigmatizing food insecurity. Everyone should be able to eat ❤️

[angeladuda]

To me, that many refried beans means lots of tostadas and enchiladas.

[KeryKatto]

if she can spend $37 on a family of 6, I can spend $20 a week rather than burn my money of fast food because I'm lazy. Lazy is making me broke lol (I could even do $10 but I live in WA)