I often tell friends who are struggling to put food on their plate they should apply for SNAP or go to the food bank

They often reply that they don't want to take it from the people who really need it

Friends, if your bank account is zilch and you're begging online for donations to buy food, you're the people who really need it. It's for you. I only ever got myself out of poverty by taking advantage of every social service available.

Try the food bank.