My wife’s family were farmers during the Depression—here in CT so no “dust bowl” issues.
They did fine—had plenty of food (had cows, sheep), did barter with neighbors who were also farmers—used a woodstove for heat and had plenty of firewood they cut down on their property.
The clothes were hand-me-downs and of course nothing was wasted.
That generation was all “hoarders”—when they died it took weeks to clean out their modest houses.
My great-uncle grew up dirt poor. He always told the story about how there were never any Christmas gifts, except one year, when he got an orange, which was his greatest Christmas memory. His mom died early, so siblings got spread around relatives homes. Joined the Army at 17 to get away and get 3 meals a day. Was sent to Philippines in 1940, captured by Japs, Bataan death march, POW in China, etc...
Took absolutely nothing for granted. Saved every scrap. Cleaning out his little ranch house needed 2 construction dumpsters.