In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Old plaster tends to break off the wooden lath easily, which makes installation much more difficult. If possible, mount electrical boxes next to a joist for a sturdier support. Be prepared to repair the plaster after installation. When working with lath and plaster, ask someone to help you by standing on the other side of the wall so you can both guide the wires. If there are horizontal fire blocks between studs, you have two options:  Use a flex bit to drill through the center of the fire block.  Or cut through the drywall at the fire block, and chisel out a notch ¾-inch wide x 1-inch deep (1.9 x 2.5 cm). Cover the notch with a metal nail plate after pulling the cable through. If the wall contains insulation, try to fish the wire between the outer paper or plastic cover and the wall. If there is no cover, press the wire against a stud and use it as a guide. While handling fiberglass insulation, wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask that covers your mouth and nose. If there is no way to avoid fishing your wire horizontally, you will likely need to cut through the drywall. A small cut with a penknife is usually enough to let you guide the wire through. In most cases, you will also need to drill through a wall stud as described below. If there is no open path for the wire, you may need to drill through wall studs or ceiling joists. Follow these guidelines to avoid causing structural damage:  Wall stud: drill through the center of the stud, using a maximum diameter of 60% of the stud's width (40% for load-bearing walls). Make sure you're at least 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) from the edge of the stud. Ceiling joist: center the hole vertically, not through the top or bottom 3" (5 cm). Avoid the ends of the joist as well as the middle third. The maximum diameter is ⅓ of the actual depth of the joist (not the depth as labeled). Vital support structures: Never drill through "glue lams" (laminated support beams), or through supports above doors, windows, or arches. Wiring through unprotected holes can allow a fire to spread rapidly between the floors of your house. If you drilled through a fire block in your wall, or through fire-resistant flooring material, seal up the holes with fire-resistant caulk or a similar product.
Summary: Approach lath and plaster construction with caution. Drill through fire blocks. Thread wires past insulation. Cut through drywall for horizontal fishing. Drill through studs or joists as a last resort. Seal holes in fire blocks with fire-resistant caulk (recommended).

In most communities, there is at least one non-profit organization that distributes donated food to those in need. If you are having trouble affording a trip to the grocery store, this can be a great way to get some basic items to stock your pantry.  Food banks are typically run by independent charitable organizations and churches in your local community, so you should be able to track one down on-line or even using the phone book. If you're having trouble finding out where the food bank is in your community this website lists many food banks around the nation, though it is not an exhaustive list. Similar services exist to help you meet your clothing needs. These clothing banks are are run by churches and other private charities, sometimes at the same site as your local food bank. If your food bank doesn't have a clothing bank and you need some clothes, the volunteers at the food bank may be able to tell you where these services are available. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers assistance to individuals and families who's income does not exceed 130 percent of the poverty line. This program, called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can make trips to the grocery store much less painful and makes cooking your own meals an even cheaper option.  To find out if you are eligible for SNAP, use their pre-screening tool, available here. In most states, you can apply for SNAP online. Links to each state's application page are available here. If you have children, you may be eligible for a federal program called Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), more commonly known as welfare. This is a cash assistance program that can help you make ends meet for a while.  Funds for TANF are provided to states in block grants from The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the Department of Health & Human Services. It is up to each individual state to distribute these funds. You can find information about your state's requirements and application processes by visiting the ACF's website and selecting your state. TANF benefits are available for a maximum of five years, and recipients typically must demonstrate that they are making an effort to become self-sufficient. Assistance with housing costs is also available for families who earn less than 50 percent of the median income in their area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will pay some portion of your rent directly to your landlord if you qualify. Like TANF, Section 8 housing is administered at the state level. To find your local Public Housing Authority and apply for a HUD voucher, visit the HUD website and select your state. If you have a family, the cost of childcare can be a major burden, but may be unavoidable if you go to work or school. The Child Care and Development Fund provides assistance for working parents of children under the age of 13. Like many of the programs discussed above, this assistance is provided at the state level. To find out who to contact for information about assistance in your state, visit the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Childcare website. If you have school aged children, they may be eligible for subsidized meals at school through the USDA's National School Lunch Program(NSLP). For information about eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit their website. The NSLP website also provides other valuable information about how create low-cost healthy meals and snacks for your children.
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One-sentence summary -- Go to the food bank. Apply for food stamps. Apply for welfare. Apply for Section 8. Get child care assistance. Apply for free/reduced lunch.

Problem: Article: Any type of food in your garden can attract rats, especially if they are ripe or overripe. Make sure that no food falls off the tree or vine onto the ground. If they do, pick them up right away. Look for one that is completely sealed or that has a locking lid. A container that sits up off the ground is also effective. This will prevent rats from smelling or getting into the compost. If you’re worried about rats, you may want to stop adding food scraps to your compost pile. Food adds little value to compost, and it is what the rats are attracted to. You can put food waste in a worm bin, however. If you feed any dogs, cats, rabbits, or chickens outside, you need a sealed metal container, preferably one with a locking lid. When the animals are done feeding, remove the dish if possible or throw out any leftovers. If you have animals like chickens that might graze on foods, a treadle feeder can help dispense food regularly without rats getting into it. You can install a rodent-baffle on your bird feeder or buy a bird feeder that is squirrel or rodent proof. Clean up under the bird feeder whenever you notice spilled seed to keep rats from coming to eat it.  Try using no-waste bird food. This type of seed is designed to reduce how much waste the bird leaves behind when they are done eating. Make sure to store your bird seed in a sealed metal container. Look for containers that are advertised as “rodent-proof.” Rats like to hide in dense vegetation and wood piles. Make sure to clear any garden debris, such as fallen branches or leaves, as soon as possible. Mow the lawn so that grass and weeds are no higher than a few inches. You can also:  Stack wood on a platform at least 18 inches (46 cm) off the ground and about 12 inches (30 cm) from any structures like fences or buildings. Trim large plants that rats could climb, such as trees, ivy, vines, and shrubs. Keep them about 4 feet (1.2 m) away from your roof to stop rats from climbing over. Repair fences to cover any holes larger than a dime.
Summary:
Harvest fruit, vegetables, and nuts as soon as they ripen. Switch to a metal compost tumbler. Clean up pet food after feeding is complete. Discourage rats from stealing bird seed. Keep your garden clean and trimmed.