If you shop at upscale grocery stores and price is no object, this information will probably not interest you. But if you make ends meet and a little extra would be an added bonus; read on.

Let me say first that I'm not describing a "food pantry" or any such operation that hands out a few basics to keep kids from going hungry until daddy gets paid. This event is open to all residents of this particular community with no means test. Keep in mind that all counties in the region do not handle distribution of surplus food in the same way. It's up to anyone interested to ask around and find out what's available where you live.

People begin to line up at this event as early as 2am. That's a bit extreme for most, but by 7am, there may be more than 70 people waiting. An employee hands out numbers to everyone on line (to prevent line-jumping) and the crowd disperses until the truck arrives and gets unloaded. At this point, the line forms again, usually very orderly, and distribution begins at 10am. or so.

One of the fun things about this event, aside from chatting with fellow, mostly friendly line-members is not knowing what you're going to get at any particular distribution. In this county, there are seven distributions during the seven warmest months, usually on the last Friday of the month.

Another challenge (and I thrive on challenges) is shopping carefully a week or so before the distribution.
"Should I buy 1 or 2 heads of lettuce?"
"Hmm... yeah, they won't have lettuce"
"Oops, shouldn't have bought any lettuce last week"

It was my intention to take a few pictures of the goodies we picked up, but the weather was less than cooperative. But I can list a few items from memory: 4 heads iceberg; 2 honeydew melons; 10 bags small peeled and washed carrots; 6 bags salad blend--small greens, sprouts etc with a raspberry dressing packet and nuts&rasins packet; 2 two-quarts beef-cheddar soup; box of Suzy Q's (my favorite); 2 bottles salad dressing; 6 green bell peppers; 1 carrot cake; 4 vanilla pudding; 2 boxes Triskets; 1 box black garbage bags; 1 pk 16 oz foam cups; and a few other miscellaneous items.

The time invested in this activity may seem a bit too much for some, but many go out of their way to attend. One gentleman I spoke with gets online to get his number before he goes to work. He passes the number to his wife on his way and she comes back at 10am to collect the bounty. This sort of thing doesn't seem to be unusual. Arrangements are made to get kids on school buses and spouses to work.

I'm thinking that I could make a happy buck by selling coffee from the tailgate of my truck. No bureaucrats around especially before 8am.