Four members of Congress are completing the weeklong "Food Stamp Challenge" Monday by eating on the average federal assistance provided to food stamp recipients: $21 per week, which works out to -- $3 a day or $1 a meal.
Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Jo Ann Emerson (D-Mo.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) - all members of the House Hunger Caucus - .seemed genuinely humbled and moved by experiencing the plight faced by too many Americans, even if only for a week. About 26 million Americans get food stamps, mostly women and children.
2007-05-22 13:28:12 · 15 answers · asked by ToYou,Too! 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/245
2007-05-22 13:28:59 · update #1
OK - What if you were a vet and HADd to live on $1 a meal-- the normal allotment. Would a smarty pants answer still apply or would is it possible to see life from an unfortunate position?
2007-05-22 14:52:45 · update #2
As long as you are not proud you can go to your local mission and eat lunch there everyday for free. That would cut out one meal you won't have to pay for. Shop 99 cent stores. Buy meat in bulk. It can be done. Don't shop at Major grocery stores. Many working poor AMERICANS are doing it daily.
2007-05-22 16:04:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is if you know how to shop and how to cook. Buy barley, beans, a little chicken, onion, mustard or collard geens and whichever the cheapest fruit in season. You will also need 2 to 3 quarts of milk for 1 person for one week. I happen to love barley and chicken so I could easily live on that diet for quite a while. Buy at the right grocery store and take advantages of all the sales
2007-05-22 13:50:23 · answer #2 · answered by hershadow1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What you all are forgetting is that it only works out to a $1 a day if it's for a single person. If you have a family, it's even less. I do not think it's possible. A person can not live on McDonalds! Especially a growing child. The governor of Oregon recently did this too. He went shopping with only $20 for the whole week and had to forgo his fancy peanut butter and organic bananas for Top Ramen and off-brand foods. It's a pretty huge eye opener, especially for these rich politicians. Good job for them!
2007-05-22 13:36:55 · answer #3 · answered by Loki's Mommy 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, eat rice, and mixed vegetables, or vegetables on sale, buy family packages of meat, and freeze the portions needed. Make your own frozen dinners such as lasagna, and the ingredients (buy when they are on sale or with coupons). You can easily live on $1 per meal. Buy the right bread, ice cream when it is $1.99, and it often is. Use pudding and applesauce. Potatoes many people like, my husband did think they weren't too healthy (he wasn't Irish), and make your own coffee at home. Eggs, eggnogs, fruit drinks, the juice from canned fruit, etc, are all nutritious. Make soup from leftovers, and those noodles become nutrient rich, with the added vegetables, and just enough spice. Ham shoulders are so good in the summer, make great sandwiches and salads. Don't forget your daily vitamin. It is very doable.
2007-05-22 13:40:36 · answer #4 · answered by Marissa Di 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Food stamps are for assistance. Most on this program have other income. And those who fleece the system should be kicked out of it and put to work. The extra should go to those who really need it. Also most of the time when social programs fall short Religious organizations will fill the need.
2007-05-22 13:45:43 · answer #5 · answered by carolinatinpan 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I agree with bouv442, these people must have jobs! After we get the food stamps up we need to work on finding these people jobs and raising the minimum wage.
2007-05-23 03:17:54 · answer #6 · answered by Krista 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most food stamp recipients I know get alot more than $21.00 a week then again most of the people I know make too much $ to qualify for that program. Myself included. The food stamp program in meant to SUPPLEMENT a families food budget NOT replace it.
2007-05-22 13:36:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Food stamps are not supposed to be a sole source of food, but a suppliment. If you spend wisely and never eat out, then yes... its do-able... if the FS are just supplementing your food shopping.
2007-05-22 13:37:56 · answer #8 · answered by MotherBear1975 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
As amusing as that little exercise may be, it has no meaning. No one has any right to expect that Uncle Sugar will provide all the food they can eat, all day, every day.
2007-05-22 14:37:41 · answer #9 · answered by gunplumber_462 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well, you could eat 3/4 lb. of pasta per meal, plain. It will fill you up, but it doesn't make for a very nutritious diet.
2007-05-22 13:45:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋