In addition, during hard times, communities came together, and shared resources and food. They often organized social events or potlucks to bring their community together. Some families also grew their own gardens to supply themselves with vegetables, herbs, or other foods that would keep them alive during the Great Depression. “Between 1931 and 1932, Detroit’s thrift garden program provided food for about 20,000 people. Experienced gardeners could be seen helping former office workers- still dressed in white button-down shirts and slacks- to cultivate their plots” (Konkel 2018). People living with multiple privations, learned to become self-sufficient, and provide their own resources. Certain families who needed more income, added more of their family members to the workforce. The number of women working, increased greatly. “Some people criticized married women for taking jobs when so many men were out of work, though women often took clerical or service industry positions that weren’t seen as socially acceptable for men at the time” (Konkel 2018). 

The extreme hardships that families experienced during the Great Depression often broke them apart. Even though the government had to give Americans financial aid, money did not mend the broken bonds that formed between families during the Great Depression.

The federal government raised the annual-percentage rate. For example, “[It] further restricted the availability of money for businesses”(Amadeo 2019). Thus, the economy faced many insolvencies following this event. Also, the national government “did not increase the supply of money to combat deflation”(Amadeo 2019). Finally, “investors withdrew all their deposits from banks. The failure of the banks created more panic. The Fed ignored the banks' plight. This situation destroyed any of consumers’ remaining confidence in financial institutions. Most people withdrew their cash and put it under their mattresses. That further decreased the money supply”(Amadeo 2019). The common “economic theory teaches that an increase in the money supply leads to higher prices. In fact, expansion of the money supply does not always cause inflation”(Amadeo 2019). Proof of this is the Great Depression. For example, inflation was caused by too little money supply, and people were not able to pay their bills and purchase food to support their family.

During this time, children suffered because they’re families did not have enough money to pay the bills, for food, and for clothing. For example, a fourteen year old girl at the time wrote to Mrs. Roosevelt: 

“Dows, Iowa

March 24, 1934

Dear Mis. Roosevelt

I am a girl 14 yrs. old I am asking a favor of you & a big one to. Will you please send me some cloths or some money for some If you can. My girl friend wrote to. we both don't have any cloths. The kids at school all make fun of you if you can't dress just so please let me here from you & please dont publish this letter or us girls shall get a terriable beaten.

May god bless you”

It is obvious that this girl was not able to receive a full education, as she needed to spend her time working. Another nine-year-old girl wrote, “About four months now, my father opened a small grocery store . . . It isn't easy for him to pay all of his bills, because his money is very little. Nobody seems to help us. And sometimes my mother cryes because maybe we'll loose the store. I'm always sorry because I'm still young and I can't help much. I was thinking of You, because I always see You in the paper with a smile in Your face. And I know that You have a kind heart. I thought if I wrote to You, maybe You would help us, with a little money and then with Your help I can help my father”. These children want to help their families, but they are unable to because they are so young and innocent.