The paragraph describes some of the everyday experiences and concerns of a family during the Great Depression in the United States. The father's practice of polishing his old work boots to make them last longer and the mother's habit of saving food scraps in the icebox reflect the scarcity and economic hardship of the era. The mention of President Hoover suggests the family's awareness of the political and economic situation, as Herbert Hoover was President of the United States during the onset of the Great Depression.