“There was also government cheese until you were about 7.”
It probably would have cost my mother more for gas to fetch it than the cheese was worth.
My mom would buy cheese and salami by the head from a place called Roma Importing.
I remember my mother going to apply for welfare. After two hours of inhaling the body odors of people living in cold water flats, she was told the state would lien the family home for the amount of the welfare money. She left with only her children.
Tough times, but admirable; probably toughened all of you.