Take the Challenge with MAZON

May 1-7, 2008

The History

Today, over 35 million Americans are at risk of hunger, that’s 12.4 million children who go to school with pangs in their belly; and 22.7 million adults who are faced with the decision of paying their rent or putting food on their table. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food Stamp Program is the nation’s single most important resource in the fight against hunger.

The Food Stamp Program provides a basic safety net to millions of people. The idea for the program was born in the late 1930s, with a limited program in effect from 1939 to 1943. It was revived as a pilot program in 1961 and was extended nationwide in 1974. The current program structure was implemented in 1977 with a goal of alleviating hunger and malnutrition by permitting low-income households to obtain a more nutritious through normal channels of trade. While this program takes important steps toward addressing hunger in America, there are several improvements that could be made to ensure that no one in the United States is food insecure.

Over the past year, a number of local anti-hunger and poverty groups from throughout the country have sparked public awareness about the inadequacy of food stamp allotments ($21 per week) by challenging their community leaders to try feeding themselves on those allotments for a few days, a week, or a month. In May 2007, Members of Congress led by Representatives James McGovern (D-Mass.) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) embarked on a Food Stamp Challenge.

What is the Food Stamp Challenge?

Today, we challenge you to live on a food stamp budget for one week in order to raise visibility and understanding around the challenges that millions of low-income American's face in obtaining a healthy diet under current food stamp benefit levels.

Up for the challenge? Here are the guidelines:

1. The Challenge begins May 1 and ends with your final meal on May 7.
2. Each person should only spend a total of $21 on food and beverages during the Challenge week.
3. All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week, including fast food and dining out must be included in the total spending.
4. 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).
5. Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions or briefings. (This includes coffee and tea.)
6. (Optional) Please keep track of receipts on food spending and take note of your experiences throughout the week via blog, video blog or podcast and share it with MAZON. Selected entries will be posted to MAZON’s website and Facebook page.
7. To sign-up for the Challenge, visit MAZON’s Facebook page and link to the Food Stamp Challenge group. If you do not have a Facebook account, please email MAZON and let us know that you will be participating.

Although you are being challenged to live on $3 a day, also consider those who are struggling abroad. Of the 6.5 billion people on the planet, more than 1 billion earn less than $1 a day. What would it be like to live off of $1 a day for a week?

Suggested Activities:

• Get your members of Congress, state legislators, and other local leaders to take the challenge with you: As soon as you commit to taking the challenge, you should issue invitation letters to members of Congress, state legislators, and other local leaders to describe what the Food Stamp challenge is, explain why you are taking it, and invite them to take the challenge along with you.

• Record your experiences to share with the community. Each day, keep a thorough diary of your experience including: what you buy, what you eat, how you feel, what activities you participate in, people’s reactions, and other relevant information. The more details, the better people are able to relate to your experience.

• Volunteer in a Food Pantry for one evening that week.

• Arrange to be the op-ed guest in the local paper to write about your experiences.

Advocacy

As the Challenge approaches, MAZON staff will be in touch about ways you can be an advocate on behalf of the millions of individuals who are at risk of hunger