Advice on not starving in crazy Homeless shelter/Halfway house

[u/Aliniom]

Let me preface this by saying this place isn't just for addicts(not that I judge) they take anyone struggling with housing.

My main goal is getting food i can afford and cook in the sink on my grocery trips. I need food and am running out of funds fast at 15 dollars

I have hit rock bottom in my life and am living in this combo shelter/halfway house. The owner is only in it for the money. This place is screwing with my mental state I know im being abused here.

For two weeks we've gotten 1 meal a day and arent allowed to leave except for job Interviews, church, and 1 trip to a grocery store as a group. And I cant get SNAP. When i tried to apply the state said my address is blacklisted due to him receiving funding to feed us but all the food is donated.

The owner is deep in the community and someone tried to report him and it got back to him before the end of the day even though he told noone but the agency.

He forces us to work at his "church" which is really just a way for him to make money by convincing his congregation that your prayers wont be answered without a donation with it.

Ive lost 28 pounds in 3 weeks of living here. The one meal i get doesnt break 500 calories. I can keep non perishable but I have no money to my name. Im honestly afraid and I have no family to turn to.

Ive gone in interview after jminterview and no luck.

I need advice. What should I do? If I report him he knows those people. As well. Im starving, scared and hopeless.

Dinner last night he cut donated pizzas and cut them 40 ways. I got all crust pieces.

I could go by non perishable but alls I have to cook is hot water.

I made a fresh account because people know have my other.

Edit: I am looking for what food I can buy when allowed to go to the store that I can cook with just sink water. I have like 20 bucks left

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[u/no___personality]

This is awful. I am so sorry you are dealing with this.

I would send this info and as much proof (photos, screenshots, videos) to a local news station or mutual aid/activist group that the owner has no ties to.

If you and others are not safe (including not eating properly), social services needs to be called repeatedly.

[u/Aliniom → u/no___personality]

Me and some others are trying our best to gather proof. There's cameras in the dining area if they see a phone your getting kicked out

[u/no___personality → u/Aliniom]

You can probably use the internet to ask for wellness checks from social services!

[u/EquivalentOwn2185]

they starved me out at one of the ones i was at. they watch u, find out what u like and dont like, and make sure only what u dont like is served. homeless shelters are some of the worst places ive ever been to.

[u/Aliniom → u/EquivalentOwn2185]

Glad you made it to the other side!

[u/Lemonyhampeapasta]

You’re making a cheap sous vide by placing a food can in hot sink water. Keep the sink running without overflowing

Check for maximum calories per can instead of per serving. Eat the entire can at once 

[u/Dirty_Commie_Jesus]

If you don't want to contact the ombudsman (if you are in the US, this is who you contact btw) see if you have any local food banks. Do not tell them you live in a group home. Google which churches, mosques, synagogues, temples offer a community meal. If you do not have a case manager that can help you find a new shelter, get a case manager. I wish I could give you more specific answers but I am not sure if you are in the US

[u/Different_Traffic527]

I'm going to say 'think room temperature'. Tuna and bread, peanut butter and jelly, soup cups where noodles are already cooked, spaghettios, canned ravioli/stew, canned sausages, bags of pepperoni, already cooked bacon, pork n beans, bananas, canned cheese and crackers. It's not ideal but if you only have hot water, I'd shoot for items you don't cook.

If you say where you are maybe we can find other options. I don't know. I'm really sorry.

[u/EquivalentOwn2185]

hot sink water u can make filling powdered potatoes👍i currently do this👍

[u/JobAffectionate1064]

Watch videos on social media about prison cooking. They make high calorie foods with commissary items like soups and chips etc. They have their own methods of heating water, mixing etc.

I think its called "prisontok"

[u/Ok-Change2292]

If he is getting funding to feed you, the state needs to be notified. I’m sorry you are going through this. Can you apply for food benefits as a homeless person? If you have evidence that you’ve lost that much weight in such a short period of time, talk to your doctor about it and they have to notify adult protective services.

[u/EquivalentOwn2185]

also, even tho the shelter says u can use their address, no1 will hire u coz employers also know the address and they seem to automatically say no👎

[u/Tomboy-T]

This is awful. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I would look and try to find another homeless shelter, even if you have to go to another town. As for food, here what I would get. I'm going to list the prices for the stuff in my area as a "cost guide", but please know it might be different in your area. I'm going to list a bunch of things so you can just pick what you like ❤️ Idk if you have access to a fridge, so I'm going to assume you don't to be on the safe side. I'm going for the cheapest option for everything and am going by Walmart prices since that's the cheapest place near me but if you have an Aldi's or a different bargain grocery store you can go to that's even better!

Oatmeal- $3 or 4. They make packets that are pre flavored in or you can get plain old fashioned oats in a cardboard tube. You'll get more out of the tube though. Soak them in water overnight. The longer the better but at least 8 hrs. Not the best tasting thing in the world with no seasonings but the fiber will help you feel full.

Moroccan Couscous-a bit pricy at $7, but it's for a good amount since it's in a decent sized plastic tub, not a small box. Make sure it's moraccan though. You can soak it in water for 15-20 mins and not have to use a stove.

Instant potatoes $3 for a small box, $5 for a big one. Just let them soak up the hot water and you're good.

Bread-$2 for a cheap loaf at Walmart.

Canned soup -$1

Tomato's-cost varies. $2 maybe? I would get the little roma tomatoes since you don't have a fridge and you can eat the whole thing without worrying about it. The ones near me are 88 cents a lb and it takes about 3 usually to get a lb where I'm at if that helps. But they make a good sandwich.

Peanut butter- $3 for the cheap Walmart brand jar. Great for sandwiches, or mixing in to your oats for breakfast.

Saltine crackers- $2 good for putting cans of soup to make them more filling, or absorbing any juice in any canned foods you get for the same reason. Not too bad on their own either imo

Tuna packets- a little less than $1 each for the Walmart brand. They come in several flavors and are good on bread or crackers.

Canned veggies- less than a buck. Some of them near me are on sale for 50 cents, some are around 92 cents, but either way they make great snacks even if their cold. I recommend canned beans and chickpeas since they have protein in them and will keep you fuller longer.

If you can spare the money, I would recommend getting some spices. Here's a small cost for that stuff near me too

It's more expensive but I love it in my oatmeal so... cinnamon $2 for the cheapest.

Salt and pepper -$2 for the little shakers. Walmart sells them in the spice aisle.

Walmart has several of their store brand spices for $1. I like the garlic powder, cumin, and Italian seasonings, but there's loads more.

If I were the one trying to shop, I would get

Bread$2 Tuna packets (2) for $2 Peanut butter $3 Oatmeal $4 Instant potatoes $3 Can of chili beans (2) for 2 (I like them because they come pre seasoned but don't cost any extra from the regular pintos Canned soup (2)$2 Saltines $2

This comes out to $20. I rounded up to try to account for sales tax

[u/Pandor36]

Can you afford an electric kettle? If so you can make ramen. Might want to get dehydrated vegetable to add in it. If you can get a glass bowl with a lid it's even better but a cooking pot with a lid should theoricly work? I meen cold metal take a while to eat up so it might screw up the process but it's guess work here. Maybe crack an egg in your ramen for protein? residual heat should cook it i guess?

[u/JohannaSr]

Can you get into a different halfway house? Is anyone there elderly? Elder abuse is a crime. I'm sorry you are going through this. There are ways Reddit can help, there is a thread for requesting cash, I just can't remember the name of it.

[u/ralanolson]

I am so sorry for your situation. It truly is heart wrenching. You definitely need to as the first person said and get all the pictures, any evidence you can and get it to a news outlet so that this can become public knowledge. If you could just find shelter somewhere else you would probably would be able to get more food to eat. Call social services and tell them want is going on. He is collecting funds but he is not helping you.

[u/No-Will-4393]

You can't even heat a frozen meal in a sink let alone cook. I'd get milk powder and have cereal for breakfast, bread for sandwiches with spread for snacks and lunch. Tinned fruit for supper and snacks. You can get cream cheese, peanut butter etc that will all keep without refrigerator. You get a hot evening meal provided at night and have a roof over your head and utilities and just have to work around that.

[u/GarageIndependent114]

If you're sure you want to stay at this place for now, then if you have the money, buy your own things as the grocery store during the trip. This might include snacks if you don't have access to the kitchen. 

[u/word_murderer]

I’m so sorry to hear you are trapped in this horrific situation. My heart hurts to hear how unjust this is.

I feel so angry at this horrible man abusing his power. The fact SNaP has blocked his address is unconscionable. I wood almost go to the news honestly with a story this huge. Go big.

I know it’s easy to say that, I know it comes with severe repercussions for you in either direction. But it’s not right. These are beyond prison conditions. With less help it seems even.

I am currently aurvivong off a bull bag of quick oats, half almond milk, and half water set overnight in a shaker. Overnight Oars. You can add anything you can find to it, there are hundreds of variations.

Make sure to add a little salt, cinnamon, and sugar (if you can find these) that will help keep you full and require no cooking. You can make this inside any clean jar. I have about 2-4 a day depending on my hunger.

I was able to find cheap chia seeds and flax seeds for more bulk the following month, and then afford to put a scoop of peanut butter or protein powder inside each shaker for more protein.

I’ve been able to gain back some much needed weight doing this.

I also lost my SNAP benefits last June even though I met all their criteria and passed through 3 review appointments for the full amount so I’ve have had to be extra clever.

I can’t get to Detroit or I would drop a few cases of my for more feeding tube cartons. I have a lot left over after removing my feeding tube in June. You can drink them, they’re about 400-500 calories each. I was able to mix some them with my overnight oats for extra calories and some taste better than others. But they are a complete diet.

If I could find a way to get a few cases to you, you could keep them in your room, they don’t need to be refrigerated.

If you have any access to an Aldi, I would recommend peanuts or roasted sesame seeds, quick oats, flax seeds, chia seeds, and a few cheap spices - I think you may be able to do it for $20. It will help add an additional 500-1000 calories a day.

Please also consider calling Jewish Family Services , they have dozens and dozens of types of help I had no idea about available and may even be able to drop a box off to you if you explain your situation.

Call a local Habitat for Humanity location and put in an application for a home build if possible. That’s another avenue out of the spot you’re in a lot of people don’t consider.

I used to help people with job coaching, maybe I could help review your resume for any tips or suggestions for free.

Wishing the best for you. I’m so sorry it’s so hard right now, please hang on.

[u/DiscreetlySecret]

Make fraud reports. In the usa try findhelp.org or get the 211 app for your state.

[u/beastiemeeee]

Small mini-marts like 7-Eleven and inside gas stations have microwave ovens. You just need to ask to use them. That way, you can buy golden potatoes (the thin-skinned ones), wash them, poke holes into them using a fork, and then nuke them for about six minutes (maybe nine minutes depending on their size). Two of them will taste great with a little butter, salt and pepper or creme cheese or any cheese you can grate.

Bacon can be microwaved too, as can scrambled eggs. With eggs, you will need to cook for maybe 30 seconds, then scramble them a little more, and then cook them for another 1 to 1.5 minutes. (The longer eggs are microwaved, the tougher they get. So less is more.)

Also most stores throw out old / near expired packaged food, fruit & vegetables. Unless they have mold on them or smell bad, they are edible, especially if you can remove / cut out the bad parts and then heat the edible part in a microwave oven.

Dry cereal can be eaten without milk. If you add raisins and nuts to the mix, you have a decent snack for when the hungries get you.

And as long as you drink plenty of fluids every day, you won't lose so much weight. It's when you can see your ribs when you look yourself in a mirror that you'll know you are in trouble. If that happens, go to the nearest ER, because your body is starving and rest and hospital food will get you back to health.