I can't say how low I would have to be before resorting to theft for any reason. In the mid 80's I had a very nice brand new big Dodge Ram Pickup. I had gotten very sick and was only working about half time and it was getting hard to pay bills and to support my truck and the gas it used. I had no choice but to step down to a much smaller and much more fuel efficient car so I could still make it to doctors and to work when I was able to work.

I first thought of that car a "*piece of shit*" little car. It grew on my very fast. I got 30 MPG in and around town. Yet it still had enough power to pass other cars when I needed to, or needed to get out in traffic. 

I am not sure at what point I would steal food or anything in order to survive. There are a lot of places to get aid in just about any town in America, from churches, to social organizations, and the city government. 

It is mostly *Pride* that drives people to steal for survival, simply because they do not want to ask for help when they need it.