When Times are Tough. Part 1, Where do I Eat?

Hello Readers,
   I'm gonna start this one off with a bit of personal info I am a HUGE Star Wars geek, there I said it, its on the net, no taking it back now. OK now that that's outta the way (you will understand very soon) lets talk about lines that shouldn't be crossed, the light side and the dark side if you will. Today's topic is a line I've recently crossed and never thought I would. OK enough build up, today were going to talk about dumpster diving. If you were raised anything like us you were taught that "civilized people don't do that" well this is about survival when your down and out and REALLY hungry, not being civil. We decided to cross that line after we hadn't eaten in 4 days, that being said let me explain to you the SAFE way to do this. To start we camp predominately at truck stops that serve hot food for the simple fact that if were broke and hungry its an easy way to get a meal. Another good place to check (for now) is 7/11 as they are currently offering subs and they get rid of them EVERY NIGHT! Now I've talked to many a seasoned traveler about this and let me tell you NEVER CLIMB INTO A DUMPSTER it is not safe as some containers also compress garbage and in some places if your caught you run the risk of catching a charge of  "molestation of a refuse container" laugh if you want but its true (look it up). If there is a lock on the container or fence do not enter it you don't need a criminal trespass charge either. My general rule is to ask first, if you explain to an employee that you haven't eaten in a few days they will most likely have the heart to let you take what you want before it goes into the dumpster itself. On the rare occasion that you run into a heartless bastard that values their job (there are cooperate rules against giving homeless people food because of lawsuits) more than your life take caution when approaching the dumpster and make sure NO ONE is watching, open the top or side door and only take what is wrapped in plastic, this will make it a little safer as far as food poisoning goes. I think it goes without saying that this should only be done at night. One more thing I should mention about this type of "hunting and gathering" is if you are gathering for multiple stomach's as I do, if you run across a tiny amount of food in one container take it with you and store it somewhere offsite from your next container. Why you might ask? The reason for this is, if a employee catches you and calls the authorities they will make you put EVERYTHING in the dumpster, better to have a little than nothing right?


This will be an ongoing series not covered in our "Futurecast" post and the reason I am teaching you this is its easy to get into this situation but red tape makes for a hellofa spider web to get yourself out of it.

                                          "Keep the faith and provide the peace"
                                                                            -Mr. Fix