[toasterlovin]

Curious: why not beg or dumpster dive if you were starving? I personally know somebody who used to panhandle at a freeway exit for drug money. They said $80-120 per day was regular. I also know someone who fed themselves entirely via picking through unwanted food at the back of super markets and restaurants (kind of a loopy hippie, live in a tent in the forest while attending college, etc.).

[chrisswanda]

Head over to http://fallingfruit.org and do a filter for "Freegan". My locale has people marking dumpsters with food that is available. And if dumpster diving isn't your thing, then wild edibles is another option. I personally haven't dumpster dove for food, but based on what I have read, you'd be hard pressed to starve in the US.

http://fallingfruit.org/sharing?c=forager%2Cfreegan&locale=e...

[rikkus]

Begging is very dangerous (where this took place) and involves being healthy enough to get yourself to somewhere it's even possible. Eating thrown away food seems like a good way to end up with something nasty.

Eventually, both of these would become options, but when you believe your situation has to be temporary, it feels safer to starve a little.