The second cat with the castanets. Reminds of my baby sitter. When I was 4 and 5 I had a Mexican lady for a babysitter and she had 2 daughters. Twins and they were 3. They could use the castanets like crazy and I couldn't do a thing with them. When mom asked if she would be willing to watch me she told mom she would but all she could give me was P.B. & J. sandwiches because that was all she could afford. Mom said that was absolutely fine because I LOVED them A couple times a week mom would take left overs to her under the guise that they were for her dog. Mom said she knew how expensive dog food was. Mom knew they ate them but never let on that she knew. Her husband had died in a farming accident and she didn't have any family to help her. About 20 years later she told mom that she and the kids ate the leftovers. Mom said she knew and that was why she gave them to her, but she didn't want her to feel embarrassed that's why they were for the "dog".
That's such a nice thing your mom did, to make sure they could accept the food and not feel ashamed. If you make it seem like someone is doing you a favor by taking something off your hands, they'll do it gladly and then they'll be able to feel good and also accept the blessing without feeling ashamed at all.