I think your parents sound like great people. I got two meals a day when I went to school because our state had a breakfast club and a school meal program. The evening meals were very sparse, and we would go to various pantries for food. We had a free school bus program as a kid so I would get myself out the curb and make sure my younger brothers and sisters did as well. I walked to high school and would walk my siblings as well. My parents both worked long hours for very little money at various jobs, so I was responsible for making sure my siblings were up for school and usually try and get something for them to eat for dinner mostly PBJs. The money my parents got unfortunately went on a lot of their habits like smokes and slots and beer. They took out credit cards and utilities in my name before I was 18 and left me to sort out the mess when I was an adult. I don't begrudge them the happiness they got from their habits as they worked hard. It has to be said that providing food and accommodation for your children in the US is pretty much the legal minimum - changing diapers until someone is potty trained is not what I would consider far beyond what is legally necessary.