WISCONSIN FAITH VOICES FOR JUSTICE INVITES YOU TO TAKE THE FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE!

• Background on the Challenge
• The Challenge
• Challenge Guidelines
• Are you planning to participate?
• A kick-off program

Background on the Challenge

Hunger and poverty have been with us since Biblical times. Leviticus provided us with one solution to this age-old problem: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the stranger” (Lev. 19:9-10). In the United States today, we have a different method of dealing with hunger. It is not a solution, but it is one way to help, and that is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as Food Stamps. 

In Wisconsin today, over 800.000 people are currently living on food stamps. This means Wisconsin recipients of SNAP eat on a weekly allocation of $29.07 a week per person in the household, or roughly $3.88 a day per person. This assistance is a great help in addressing the nutritional needs of people living in poverty. Unfortunately, it is insufficient to meet the full nutritional needs of an average family, particularly for families living in urban areas. According to SNAP’s Thrifty Food Plan, the basis on which SNAP’s allocation levels are determined, a family of four needs between $126.50 and $144.90 a week to eat at the Thrifty Food Plan level (http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2012/CostofFoodJun2012.pdf). This is already lower than Wisconsin allocates for its food stamp recipients. Add to that the higher cost of food in urban areas, compounded by the lack of large grocery stores resulting in limited food choices, and people living on SNAP have a difficult time meeting minimal nutrional needs. Many families find it difficult to make their allocation last to the end of the month, and end up resorting to food pantries and soup kitchens to fill out the month (http://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/urbansnapreport_jan2011.pdf).

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The Challenge

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice invites individuals and congregations to take the SNAP/Food Stamp Challenge for one week during the weeks of Lent or the weeks between Purim and Passover. 

The SNAP/Food Stamp Challenge gives participants a view of what life can be like for millions of low-income Americans. Most participants take the Challenge for one week, living on a little under $4 per day worth of food – the average food stamp benefit in Wisconsin. 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 around the country have taken the Challenge and have learned firsthand what it is like to try to make ends meet on the average food stamp benefit.

While living on a food stamp 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.

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Challenge Guidelines

1. Each person should spend a set amount for food and beverages during the Challenge week. That amount is $29.07 for all food and beverage for the week.
2. All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week, including fast food and dining out, must be included in the total spending.
3. During the Challenge, only eat food that you purchase for the project. Do not eat food that you already own (this does not include spices and condiments).
4. Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions, briefings, or other events where food is served.
5. Keep track of receipts on food spending and take note of your experiences throughout the week.
6. Invite others to join you, including co-workers, reporters, chefs, or other elected officials.