Do
you think you could live on $4.50 a day? That’s the average amount of money
that 500,000 Coloradans are receiving from the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Thousands of our neighbors subsist on such a budget for themselves
and their families through their SNAP benefits. The federal nutrition program,
previously known as food stamps, provides households with the financial
resources to purchase groceries—literally putting food on tables for millions
of American children, adults and seniors.
Many
families survive entirely on the food acquired through their SNAP benefits,
which affords $31.92 per week to the average recipient in Colorado. What if
that’s all you had to spend on groceries?
The
Food Bank for Larimer County, in partnership with the Coloradoan, will be
hosting a SNAP Challenge for five days during Hunger Action Month this
September. As an influential member of
our community, we cordially invite you to take part of this experience.
The SNAP Challenge gives
participants a view of what life can be like for millions of low-income
Americans. Challenge participants are forced to make food shopping choices on a
limited budget, and often realize how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford
nutritious foods, and stay healthy with too few resources.
Members of
Congress, governors, state officials, journalists and other community leaders
have taken the Challenge and have learned firsthand what it is like to try to
make ends meet on the average SNAP benefit.
While living
on a SNAP budget for just a week cannot come close to the struggles
encountered by low-income families week after week and month after month, it
does provide those who take the Challenge with a new perspective and greater
understanding.
Are you up for the Challenge? Here is how it works:
The SNAP challenge will take place from
September 9th to September 13th.
Your food budget for the five days
of the Challenge will be based on the average SNAP benefit, which is $4.50
per person per day– for ALL your food and beverages. You can use coupons
while taking the Challenge but should not shop at membership clubs.
Using your Challenge budget,
decide on groceries to purchase and how much to put aside for food
incidentals. Be aware of ALL food purchased and eaten during the Challenge
days.
During the Challenge, do not eat
food that you purchased prior to starting the challenge. Condiments and
cooking oils are accepted because they are not purchased weekly.
Avoid accepting free food from
friends, family, or while at work.
Keep track of receipts on food
spending and take note of your experiences throughout the week, in
particular the choices you made between the variety and quality of food
you ate. You will be submitting your notes and receipts to the Coloradoan
nightly.
Invite others to join
you, including your co-workers, family members, and elected officials.
Share
your SNAP Challenge through social media and by blogging about your
experience. Please use the hash tag #SNAPchallenge
The Registered Dietitian from the Food Bank will evaluate your shopping list.
Check back at to this blog daily to check on our progress!
For more information on the Challenge or Hunger Action Month visit foodbanklarimer.org email Lauren Ross Dewey.
