A hungry man stealing food for his children isn't committing a crime in my opinion. Almost any other case of stealing is bad. I wouldn't call it a "sin" though as I don't think that way.

Stealing by definition is wrong..What do you think is a right reason? I believe there has to be a better way to get something for the "right reason" than stealing.

Do you think that your integrity is worth what you've stolen? There is something to be said for someone that can say in their old age, "I've never taken what wasn't mine, no matter what the circumstances I found myself in. I held to my standards of doing what is right, even to my own hurt." As for stealing that your kids can eat, give them something more valuable than food. Give them an example to follow that will make them honest adults.

The Bible says: “Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work, doing with his hands what is good work.” (Eph. 4:28) People justify their actions by saying to themselves, “The company owes it to me, because they didn’t give me a raise.” Or they would neutralize their dishonesty by saying, “Everybody does it.” They also played down their guilt as embezzlers with attitudes like, “It’s the right of every good employee to take home so many power tools a year.” The impersonality of bigness also loomed as a contributing factor to dishonesty. Some distinguished between a supermarket and a neighborhood minimart. Said one student: “A lot of people steal from supermarkets, but nobody steals from the deli because you know the guy depends on you not to.” Because of the impersonality of the supermarket, the dishonest person may reason, “After all, I’m not hurting anybody in particular.” What if a person is very poor and in real need? One way that Jehovah helps the poor is by giving them practical advice on daily living. By applying this Bible counsel, many unemployed people have been able to create jobs for themselves, doing hard work, such as planting and caring for a vegetable garden or starting a small business. The Bible also helps poor people to save money by teaching them to avoid bad habits, such as the abuse of alcohol, smoking, drug abuse, and throwing their money away through lotteries and gambling—Ephesians 5:18. Despite the world’s twisted values, it is vital to obey the commandment: “Let the stealer steal no more.” (Ephesians 4:28) A person who overvalues possessions or pleasures may deceive himself into believing that theft is worth the risk. But stealing is serious in God’s eyes and reveals a lack of love for one’s fellowman. Besides, even petty theft may lead to the hardening of one’s heart. And what about being viewed as dishonest? Who will trust a thief? Wisely, God’s Word says: “Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer.”—1 Peter 4:15. I think of the psalmist's words: "I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread."-Psalm 37:25.

If one steals something that is necessary to life or survival and has no other choice, I think there can be instances where this is not legal, but necessary. There may be consequences of course.

There are very few things in this world that are black and white without any grey areas, such as stealing. Every now and again one must do a little evil to do a greater good. All you can do is hope that the good that comes from the little evil is well worth the sin, because if it is then the sin will be cancelled out by the following good. If you believe in God, then He will see that your heart is true and your sin was for the greater good and can be forgiven, making it no longer a sin.

Stealing is wrong, no matter what. If you steal food, someone else suffers because of it. "It is a large company, they won't even notice" is not a valid excuse. If you or your children are hungry, there are places to get food without stealing. Salvation Army usually has a feeding line, there are churches that will donate food for the hungry, food stamps are for people who can't afford groceries.