Life Skills
Struggling to Fit Food into Your Budget? Read This
What do you do when you are the hungry and afflicted?
Have you ever had to choose between buying groceries or paying bills? Or come home to an empty fridge or cabinets and not known how you’ll fill them?
If so, you’ve experienced food insecurity. And it might be more common than you think, especially among young adults who are still trying to figure their lives out.
I’m Not Food Insecure … Am I?
Feeding the hungry and afflicted is a cornerstone of our faith. The scriptures teach us to serve those who are needy and poor. (See Isaiah 58:10; Matthew 25:35.)
But sometimes, even when you’re in a difficult situation, it’s hard to think of yourself as “the needy” or “the hungry.” Maybe you feel that there are others in the world who are hungrier than you or that your experience isn’t extreme enough to seek help.
Here’s the reality: You can have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in, a car to drive, and even a job and still face food insecurity.
Food insecurity isn’t just about not having enough food; it’s also about not being able to afford nutritional food.
Going days or weeks without consistent, balanced meals can take a serious toll on your well-being. Proper nutrition allows you to live a full, joyful life. Nutrients give you the fuel you need to fully engage at school, work, church, and home.
If you’re food insecure for long enough, you may begin to feel isolated, anxious, and desperate. Just “going hungry” or “sticking it out” is not the answer.
But what can you do about it?
Where Can I Turn for Help?
1. Pray for peace and guidance.
During His ministry, Christ said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). As you invite Christ into your life, He will strengthen you, and the Spirit will guide you in your search for support.
2. Evaluate your spending.
Ask yourself: “Am I prioritizing my physical well-being in my budget?” When money is tight, it can be easy to dismiss nutritious food as a nonessential. But before you go without, consider if there are healthier ways you can divide your funds.
3. Seek help from your local Church leaders.
Your Church leaders can direct you to local food banks, place an order with a local grocery store, connect you with community resources, and offer personalized support. They will likely also encourage you to seek help and support from your family. You may also be introduced to your branch or stake’s Self-Reliance program, where you can take classes on everything from personal finances to emotional resilience. These resources can help you make a budget plan to help you set aside enough funds for adequate food each month.
If you are in the United States, Canada, or South America, the Church provides a welfare program within bishops’ storehouses where you can find temporary assistance with groceries and other essential supplies. Make an appointment with your bishop to privately discuss your needs. Under your bishop’s direction, a member of the Relief Society or elders quorum presidency can also help you fill out a Food and Supplies form to get started.
What If I’m Afraid to Ask for Help?
Jesus Christ suffered “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind” (Alma 7:11)—including hunger. He organized His Church to ease not just spiritual but also temporal suffering. Part of why we are assigned to minister to one another is to gauge these kinds of needs.
But if you’re hiding your struggles, nobody will know that you need help. You have to ask—and you might have to set aside your pride to do so.
Recognize that being food insecure doesn’t mean you are failing, helpless, or broken. Don’t let the fear of others’ judgment or your personal reservations about asking for help prevent you from seeking potentially life-changing assistance.
If you have reached out for help and are still in a difficult situation, don’t lose hope. Remember that Heavenly Father loves you and that you are not alone. Have patience, make thoughtful decisions, and follow the counsel of your leaders.
OK … I Think I’ve Got This
Facing food insecurity and striving to overcome it takes a lot of strength and courage. It can be intimidating to admit that you are struggling and even more daunting to ask someone for help.
As you press forward in faith, remember: Your circumstances don’t define you.
President Russell M. Nelson (1924–2025) once said, “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”
Turn to the Savior, seek help, and find your joy again.