Published: March 15, 2008 08:50 pm            

Taking the Food Stamp Challenge

Hard to believe with all the news about fat Americans that there’s anybody in this country not getting enough to eat.

But it’s true. There are people even right here in Cherokee County that simply cannot afford to eat three times a day, much less eat healthily.

According to the Health and Human Services Commission, as of March Cherokee County has 2,311 separate food stamp cases — 5,919 actual recipients.

A total 3,429 of those recipients are 17 years old or younger. Another 415 are 60 years old or older.

Total food stamp payments made to the county this year is $512,217, which translates into an average payment of $222 per case. That’s $55.50 a week for food for a family. The average decreases to $21 a week for an individual.

HOPE Director Fran Daniel and the rest of the HOPE staff see first hand the struggle some families are having just to put food on the table. That’s why Fran recently took on the Food Stamp Challenge and issued it to me and a few other brave souls in Jacksonville. They are Robert Haberle, Dale Jamerson and Cris Neeld.

“When I tried to get more people involved, there didn’t seem to be that much interest,” Fran told me on Friday.

That’s not surprising, since the challenge is we’re all supposed to eat for a week like we’re on food stamps — that’s $3 a day!

If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “Okay, no biggie, McDonald’s has a dollar menu. I can skip the fries and drink water, that’s still free. And in the interest of variety, Taco Bell still has tacos for less than a dollar, too.”

It’s a good theory, but most fast food places don’t take food stamps. (Insert the sound of bubbles bursting here.)

I’m thinking it’s a good thing I like Ramen noodles. But at least I won’t be alone in the challenge.

Fran was thinking about how she was going to cope last week.

“I want to try to be as healthy as I can, but it might not be possible,” she said.

Fran is planning on having oatmeal — not instant — and half a banana for breakfast.

“I’ll definitely be taking advantage of the Soup Kitchen and Holy service week,” she admitted.

Fran did a little grocery shopping on Friday.

“I bought everything I need for $18.80,” she reported. “Eggs were on sale for $1.55 — I guess for the Easter holiday. That means I can purchase a peach, pear, or orange, or maybe yogurt for .50 each. Of course, I'll be eating the same food over and over again. Another thing I realize, that I’m going to be hungry most of the day.

She said she’s been wracking her brain to come up with something for dinner, to no avail

“The only things I can come up with is spaghetti and rice and beans,” she said. “I just don’t know. It’s going to be a learning experience. Even if you’re not going to participate, I want you to just think about it. Could you do it?”

I’ll be reporting our plans and results throughout the week next week. So keep reading the Daily Progress and offer to buy lunch for us brave five one day next week.

        

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