The Hunger Challenge–Could You Live On $21 a Week?
Lessons for Us All:
Taking the Hunger Challenge meant living for a week on the same budget allotted to those in the Food Stamp program. Gayle Keck, from the San Francisco Food Bank, challenged bloggers and politicians alike to eat healthily and to not go hungry on $21 over 7 days, which is about how much a person in the Food Stamp Program receives. Well, a lot felt hungry and many had to learn new ways of allocating their food supply and budget over the week. Gayle, for instance, found that she could only afford one piece of fresh fruit per day, which she liked to eat at breakfast. However, when she wanted an after dinner sweet Gayle learned to save and eat pieces of the fruit throughout the day. You can read more of bloggers’ daily experiences during the Hunger Challenge at their website. Here is one excerpt of an especially endearing conversation about dinner and hunger between a Mom and her son:
My son: “Is this dinner?”
Me: “Yes, why do you ask?”
Son: “Well we usually have more things. You only have 2, the pizza wheels and the salad.”
I explained to him about the challenge and how people who don’t have much money don’t have much food or choices when eating. We’ve talked about how lucky we are to have food and clothing and toys and how others are not as lucky. He seemed to understand when we donate clothing, toys and canned goods throughout the year, however this was more real. When he asked for his and his sister’s frozen berries after dinner and I explained in a home where this was all the food for the day I’d have to say “no, I’m sorry, maybe tomorrow” – he understood. The idea on not having enough to eat and going hungry or without himself was a powerful lesson. But I did give him and his sister the berries.
If only politicians were as perceptive as this six-year-old when it comes to understanding hunger in our country.
The Food Stamp Program:
The number of people receiving food stamps has risen substantially in the last few years, from around 17,000,000 in 2001 to almost 29,000,000 participants in 2008. The application process may be getting easier or people are in more and more need of assistance. The Program takes both reasons into account to explain the high numbers:
By August 2008, participation had reached an all-time (non-disaster) high of 29 million people per month. The participation increases occurred at a time when eligibility for food stamp benefits expanded as a result of the 2002 Farm Bill. Moreover, there was a consistent focus on outreach and improved access to FSP benefits. Some of the most recent increase in participation may be caused by the current economic slowdown and the recent rise in unemployment rates.
As of Oct. 1, 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. “The new name reflects [the] focus on nutrition and putting healthy food within reach for low income households. Changes have been made to make the Program more accessible.” Still, participants receive only about $21 a week, and Gayle Keck sought to demonstrate that this is not nearly enough. Could you live on $21 a week?
December 3, 2008
Tags: blogging, blogs, moms, nutrition, policy Posted in: Health, Politics
5 Responses
Thanks so much for supporting the Hunger Challenge – and helping people understand the huge issue of hunger in America. We’ll be doing the Challenge again – and if you’re interested in participating, just sign up at the site.
Food Stamps are nice and handy if you want some fast meals.
Food Stamps are great and i wish that there were more of them.
we can always avail of food stamps if we can’t afford great food.
the homeless people in our area would always use food stamps to satisfy their hunger
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