As a young man, I lived through the Great Depression, when banks failed and so many lost their jobs and homes and went hungry. I was fortunate to have a job at a canning factory that paid 25 cents an hour.

Summary

This quote portrays the speaker's personal experience of living through the Great Depression. They express gratitude for being fortunate enough to have a job during a time when banks failed and numerous individuals faced unemployment, homelessness, and hunger. The speaker emphasizes the meager wage they received, highlighting the economic struggles and hardships faced by people during that era.