How does hunger plague Richard in chapter 5 of Black Boy?

Hunger plagues Richard incessantly in chapter 5.
The reason Richard is always hungry is because he lives with his grandmother, who is a strict Seventh-Day Adventist. Many people who profess the religion do not eat meat. So, Richard must subsist on a diet of starches, greens, and lard. It is ironic, however, that Richard must rely on lard for sustenance, as it is an animal byproduct.
In chapter 5, Richard finds that hunger is his constant companion. When he discovers that his classmates work mornings, evenings, and Saturdays to earn extra money, he decides to do the same. However, when Richard asks his grandmother for permission to work on Saturday, his request is denied. Richard's grandmother observes Saturday as the Sabbath and believes that it would be a sin for her grandson to work on that day. Richard ends up having to forego lunch every day.
Instead, he must watch in agony while his classmates purchase delicious sandwiches at lunchtime. To deflect uncomfortable questions about his home life, Richard lies about being so hungry at noon. Essentially, Richard lives close to actual starvation. His suffering leads him to a decision. He will be so successful one day that he will never be hungry again. To broaden his horizons, he decides not to head home immediately after school each day. Instead, he visits different venues and learns about the world around him.
During this time, Richard endures extreme hunger. His decision not to go home means that he can only eat two meals a day (mush at eight in the morning and greens later in the evening). For Richard, it is only the feeling of freedom he gets from his explorations that helps him forget his hunger pangs.