by 
The Curious Bag
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Life during the Great Depression was difficult financially, and living situations were uncomfortable for most people in rural areas. Many who may have been doing financially well before the Great Depression found themselves emotionally drowned by poverty.
Unemployment
Numbers of unemployed families intensely increased during the Great Depression. According to allabouthistory.org, "Unemployment rose from a shocking 5 million in 1930 to an almost unbelievable 13 million by the end of 1932."
Child Labor
During the Great Depression more than two million children as young as 10 years old had to leave school and work to help provide for their families. These children had jobs requiring strenuous physical labor, such as working in factories, canneries, mines and farms.
Homes and Farms
It was not uncommon for farmers to lose their homes and farms due to an inability to repay loans.
Getting By
Families were desperate to earn a dollar so they took measures that they would not normally do, such as boarding strangers. Bartering was also common due to lack of currency.
Charities
Government charities and the Red Cross gave out food and necessities to poor families. Unfortunately, families who lived in the country had a difficult time traveling to these food stations because many did not have transportation.
Source:
Allabouthistory.org: Life During the Great Depression
Southern Illinois University Museum: Life in the Great Depression
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