Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 2:36

"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thy house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests` offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread." — 1 Samuel 2:36 (ASV)

A piece - The word is only found here but is thought to be connected in etymology and meaning with the “Gerah,” the smallest Hebrew coin, which was one-twentieth of a shekel. The smallness of the sum requested shows the poverty of the one asking.