My dad was born 1898, he witnessed the depression fist hand, he described it to me in detail.
In his area there was no money and for those who had (some money) could hire labor, “hard labor” ten cents per hour.
He stated there were many family's who's’ father or bread winner was deceased and these were the ones’ who suffered the most. For those who were fortunate enough to raise crops, they would allow these familys to gleam their fields for food as in the Old Testament.
Yes, it was a difficult time but, people got through it.
According to Dad, family's and communities were much closer then today, it was neighbor helping neighbor.
I sure wouldn't want to depend on this in todays society's with so much greed.
If you walk in Israel all over you see fields where the harvest has been left as per the commandment to leave the corners and gleanings for the poor.