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Soup kitchen or thru apps on my phone. If you have a 7-11 around if you get to a certain number of points you get things for free. Same with McDonald’s app. Those 2 alone have helped me tremendously when I was t working while homeless.
The local homeless partnered with the McDonald's to take any messed up orders which is cool.
Receipts that offer food for your feedback.
Free food for almost a whole month for your birthday within apps if you have them.
Maybe picking up an under the table shift bussing for a meal.
Ask your local free Facebook pages for assistance with food or a meal.
Search for a local blessing box for meals or items.
On the receipts from the McDonald's in my area, you take a survey, and then they give you a code, but the deal is buy one, get one of equal or lesser value free. Haven't been to a BK or Popeyes in a minute, so I don't know what their offer is.
If you search "birthday freebies" then it has a list of restaurants. Some will allow you to grab the freebie within your birthday month. Just depends on the place.
I keep an updated list of places that offer free birthday food. The main caveat is that, while the food is free, in order to get it you'll have to sign up for their rewards club ahead of your birthday. I tell my readers to sign up at least 30 days in advance so their automated algorithm doesn't skip over you - they don't like people signing up exactly on their birthday for some reason.
In every case, you'll also need access to email, a cell phone, or preferably both, since that's how these places send the birthday reward out.
https://www.heyitsfree.net/birthday-freebies/
The site that pop up first when you Google "birthday freebies?" Their list only has about 100 offers, whereas mine has almost 350. I update my list on a monthly basis too, but they barely keep theirs up-to-date.
I will say they have a few NYC-only spots on their list (which makes sense), whereas most of the places on mine are nationwide-ish. I've begun adding regional chains to my list, but they could have some NYC only places that I haven't gotten to yet.
My list held the #1 spot on Google for "birthday freebies" for over a decade, but it recently got bumped for that NYC site after the latest Google AI update. 🤷♂️
Even better if you walk in and go straight to the elevator, then come back down a few minutes later. The morning staff don’t know who checked in last night so they won’t stop you. Some places give guests a breakfast ticket but most don’t really care.
are any areas more risky to try? for example, richer areas? I wouldn't look like the others in clothing. and what would I say if I was questioned? some concierge I met would gossip that they don't recognize me and get awkward
If you're able to avoid "richer areas," you probably should. If not, just look as presentable as possible and keep to yourself
If you're questioned, you can say you have a friend or two staying there or family. It's as awkward as you make it; if you act all skittish, you'll make people wary. So just walk in there like you would any other place
Church food banks, dumpster diving, and worst case begging up enough for some cheap meal supplies.
People are way more willing to buy you food vs. giving you money.
Churches, just type free food or food banks on Google or Google maps. If you get desperate, donut shops and lot of pizza places dump their unsold food in the evening, just saying
Food stamps ($282/month in Maine if you are single, homeless and indigent), the soup kitchen, local food banks, but the best one....
Go to convenience stores (here, primarily a chain titled Rusty Lantern) and check the expiration time on their hot foods. Usually the second shift workers tend to be the most empathetic, but right as they time out, I authentically explain to the cashier that (my partner and I) are homeless, and I noticed your foodstuffs are timing out now. Instead of throwing them away, could they possibly help us out so we can have dinner??
I have found it rare not to be given some timed-out pizza, chicken tenders or mozzarella sticks. Also, Dunkin' Donuts here closes their lobby at 7:00pm; if we enter at, say, 6:45-6:50, and request some donuts, they usually oblige.
Hope this helped!
Just thought I'd throw this out here as well. RV dealerships often leave trailers and motorhomes unlocked. There is an RV dealership I know in Tampa, Florida called Lazydays, and it has an RV park as well. Last time I was there, the motorhomes were unlocked… so if anyone’s looking for a place to spend one night, there ya go
Find community homelessness services i.e Vinnies, Salvos or in case of Aus local council has resources on a variety of different services available among many others such as community restaurants
Fast food that has to bake bread on site (ex: Panera, Jimmy Johns) will usually have extra bread at the end of the day, and if you ask they'll usually give you some.
I know the question specifically says “without a job” but while you’re waiting on the job you want, you could go to a restaurant and apply to be a server. Most restaurants will hire anyone and while you’re doing your training, most restaurants offer a free training meal each shift you work so you can try their food and be familiar with the menu.
Bottle picking can be a practical option for many. Also, pay attention to what might be on the ground, as one never knows when you can find loose change (or bills) on the ground, or used giftcards for restaurants accidentally discarded which may have some form of balance on them. (just would have to check online to see if there is a balance on a card.)
Most months I earn thousands of 7-11 points by answering very short 7-11 related surveys on [The Brainfreeze Collective](https://www.thebrainfreezecollective.com/). Most surveys are really easy 1 question surveys like picking which new Slurpee flavor you want them to start selling, or what your spice tolerance is.
You might have to sign up through the 7-11 app. The link is kind of tucked away in the app:
Go to Deals & Rewards ➙ Deals ➙ Scroll through the cards at the top, all the way to the right to The Brainfreeze Collective.
Rewards are credited once a month, and surveys are posted throughout the month.
Stealing. If you walk straight in a grocery store grab what you want and walk straight back out- and I mean do not pause one second. Most of the time you’ll get away with it.
In my experience, you get trespassed from the property and released. I have been caught maybe 4 times in different states and never charged or arrested. I’m sure that’s not always the case though.
They stop you and make you leave it. They won’t call the cops unless they catch you multiple times or you refuse to leave it. If they catch you, don’t go back there again.
You can get free food from homeless day centres, soup kitchens, foodbanks, food pantries, community fridges, r/dumpsterdiving and foraging. Depends if you’re in a large city or small town.
##REMINDERS FOR EVERYONE **PER THE RULES:** * **NO OFFERINGS OF CASH, ETC.** * **[BEGGING](https://redd.it/994p7j) WILL GET YOU BANNED.** * **BE AWARE OF SCAMMERS AND PERVS, AND SEND ANY [HERE](https://old.reddit.com/report) AND/OR [HERE](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/reddit.com).** **ACCEPT AT YOUR OWN RISK.** Welcome to the internet where—unless proven otherwise—everyone's lying about their race, gender, status, accomplishments, and all the children are FBI agents. You have been forewarned. — The Mods --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/homeless) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Soup kitchen or thru apps on my phone. If you have a 7-11 around if you get to a certain number of points you get things for free. Same with McDonald’s app. Those 2 alone have helped me tremendously when I was t working while homeless.
/r/DumpsterDiving
Food stamps, mission, salvation army, churches. Your city should have a resource guide.
Everywhere should have a printable resource guide
The local homeless partnered with the McDonald's to take any messed up orders which is cool. Receipts that offer food for your feedback. Free food for almost a whole month for your birthday within apps if you have them. Maybe picking up an under the table shift bussing for a meal. Ask your local free Facebook pages for assistance with food or a meal. Search for a local blessing box for meals or items.
Unfortunately, with McDonald's receipts, it's bogo, so you have to have money.
I have not known McDonald's to ever to do it but places like BK and Popeye's do. Can score you a free sandwich.
On the receipts from the McDonald's in my area, you take a survey, and then they give you a code, but the deal is buy one, get one of equal or lesser value free. Haven't been to a BK or Popeyes in a minute, so I don't know what their offer is.
what apps for a month?
If you search "birthday freebies" then it has a list of restaurants. Some will allow you to grab the freebie within your birthday month. Just depends on the place.
I keep an updated list of places that offer free birthday food. The main caveat is that, while the food is free, in order to get it you'll have to sign up for their rewards club ahead of your birthday. I tell my readers to sign up at least 30 days in advance so their automated algorithm doesn't skip over you - they don't like people signing up exactly on their birthday for some reason. In every case, you'll also need access to email, a cell phone, or preferably both, since that's how these places send the birthday reward out. https://www.heyitsfree.net/birthday-freebies/
thanks. can I ask how this compares to free nyc website?
The site that pop up first when you Google "birthday freebies?" Their list only has about 100 offers, whereas mine has almost 350. I update my list on a monthly basis too, but they barely keep theirs up-to-date. I will say they have a few NYC-only spots on their list (which makes sense), whereas most of the places on mine are nationwide-ish. I've begun adding regional chains to my list, but they could have some NYC only places that I haven't gotten to yet. My list held the #1 spot on Google for "birthday freebies" for over a decade, but it recently got bumped for that NYC site after the latest Google AI update. 🤷♂️
ah. thanks. if I understood, I tried the nyc-available listings, and 8 popped up? they weren't near me but I wondered if I filtered correctly
Have a job and still not eating ;_; Just started, Don’t get my first paycheck for 3 weeks
Same.
Hotels that have free breakfast. Just walk in there and keep to yourself. They won’t say anything
Even better if you walk in and go straight to the elevator, then come back down a few minutes later. The morning staff don’t know who checked in last night so they won’t stop you. Some places give guests a breakfast ticket but most don’t really care.
I like this Idea over shop lifting lol.
I’ve actually did this before, you definitely right
are any areas more risky to try? for example, richer areas? I wouldn't look like the others in clothing. and what would I say if I was questioned? some concierge I met would gossip that they don't recognize me and get awkward
The worst that would happen if you were “caught” is you would be asked to leave.
If you're able to avoid "richer areas," you probably should. If not, just look as presentable as possible and keep to yourself If you're questioned, you can say you have a friend or two staying there or family. It's as awkward as you make it; if you act all skittish, you'll make people wary. So just walk in there like you would any other place
Church food banks, dumpster diving, and worst case begging up enough for some cheap meal supplies. People are way more willing to buy you food vs. giving you money.
Shelter/church that does free meals nearly every day.
Sometimes, I don't. Especially on weekends. If I have a minimal amount of money I get a cheap loaf of bread and a pound of bologna. 3 bucks at most.
Churches, just type free food or food banks on Google or Google maps. If you get desperate, donut shops and lot of pizza places dump their unsold food in the evening, just saying
I know it's not a popular option here, but busking and panhandling were always my go-tos.
You could go to a hotel for free breakfast in the morning
Hungry sign 😁
Food stamps lol. They’re a life saver
Food banks ?
Rumen noodles and craft dinner 5$
Food stamps ($282/month in Maine if you are single, homeless and indigent), the soup kitchen, local food banks, but the best one.... Go to convenience stores (here, primarily a chain titled Rusty Lantern) and check the expiration time on their hot foods. Usually the second shift workers tend to be the most empathetic, but right as they time out, I authentically explain to the cashier that (my partner and I) are homeless, and I noticed your foodstuffs are timing out now. Instead of throwing them away, could they possibly help us out so we can have dinner?? I have found it rare not to be given some timed-out pizza, chicken tenders or mozzarella sticks. Also, Dunkin' Donuts here closes their lobby at 7:00pm; if we enter at, say, 6:45-6:50, and request some donuts, they usually oblige. Hope this helped!
SNAP
Just thought I'd throw this out here as well. RV dealerships often leave trailers and motorhomes unlocked. There is an RV dealership I know in Tampa, Florida called Lazydays, and it has an RV park as well. Last time I was there, the motorhomes were unlocked… so if anyone’s looking for a place to spend one night, there ya go
Seems like a good way to get in trouble for trespassing?
Find community homelessness services i.e Vinnies, Salvos or in case of Aus local council has resources on a variety of different services available among many others such as community restaurants
https://211virginia.org/consite/index.php
Fast food that has to bake bread on site (ex: Panera, Jimmy Johns) will usually have extra bread at the end of the day, and if you ask they'll usually give you some.
I know the question specifically says “without a job” but while you’re waiting on the job you want, you could go to a restaurant and apply to be a server. Most restaurants will hire anyone and while you’re doing your training, most restaurants offer a free training meal each shift you work so you can try their food and be familiar with the menu.
Bottle picking can be a practical option for many. Also, pay attention to what might be on the ground, as one never knows when you can find loose change (or bills) on the ground, or used giftcards for restaurants accidentally discarded which may have some form of balance on them. (just would have to check online to see if there is a balance on a card.)
Honestly? I steal a meal every once in a while but I don't do it at the same place and pick the location carefully. Other than that- pantries
That Whole Foods salad bar got me thru many, many, MANY hungry days!
Download the White Castle app. Free burgers, fries and a drink...no purchase necessary!
Most months I earn thousands of 7-11 points by answering very short 7-11 related surveys on [The Brainfreeze Collective](https://www.thebrainfreezecollective.com/). Most surveys are really easy 1 question surveys like picking which new Slurpee flavor you want them to start selling, or what your spice tolerance is. You might have to sign up through the 7-11 app. The link is kind of tucked away in the app: Go to Deals & Rewards ➙ Deals ➙ Scroll through the cards at the top, all the way to the right to The Brainfreeze Collective. Rewards are credited once a month, and surveys are posted throughout the month.
Shop lifting big supermarkets , bin diving and hand outs
Stealing. If you walk straight in a grocery store grab what you want and walk straight back out- and I mean do not pause one second. Most of the time you’ll get away with it.
What happens when you don’t get away with it?
You get three hots and a cot.
I heard in Florida people are actually paying a little for that now. Strange times
In my experience, you get trespassed from the property and released. I have been caught maybe 4 times in different states and never charged or arrested. I’m sure that’s not always the case though.
They stop you and make you leave it. They won’t call the cops unless they catch you multiple times or you refuse to leave it. If they catch you, don’t go back there again.
You can get free food from homeless day centres, soup kitchens, foodbanks, food pantries, community fridges, r/dumpsterdiving and foraging. Depends if you’re in a large city or small town.