Hunger Awareness Challenge

What is the Challenge?

We are challenging members of our community to eat for one day or one week on $3.30 per person per day which is the approximate amount that a person receives from food stamps. We then ask that the entrants record their experiences to share with all.

Why the Challenge?

We are honoring National Hunger Awareness Day which is on June 3, 2008 by presenting the challenge. The participants and the readers of their blogs will hopefully both become more aware of the issues involving hunger and food insecurity.

When is the Challenge?

The challenge begins on Tuesday June 3, 2008 and goes to Tuesday June 10, 2008.

Do you want to take the Challenge?

It’s easy—read the rules below, fill out and submit the form, and keep a journal—daily or weekly of your experience. Then e-mail your diary to lsmith@shorelinesoupkitchens.org and she will upload it to http://shorelinesoupkitchens.blogspot.com. If you want to remain anonymous just let us know —or we will use your name.

RULES:

• No food maybe accepted as a gift during this time. For example: No brownies from your co-worker.  The thinking behind this is that you might not be able tor reciprocate and would feel awkward in taking a gift you could not repay.
• If you need a condiment, you need to purchase it with your monetary allotment or it must be part of your starting pantry (see below). This includes salt, ketchup, sugar.
• All that is eaten must be purchased with the $3.30 per day allotment. For example, do not eat food (including mints, gums, etc.) that was not paid for with the allotment but is in your refrigerator or pantry. Imagine you are starting with nothing; as many people go through their pantry completely before reaching out for help.
• Participants are also asked to keep a journal of their experience and e-mail it to lsmith@shorelinesoupkitchens.org so it may be posted on http://shorelinesoupkitchens.blogspot.com.
• You may start with a beginning pantry supply of what our food pantries supply to a person who needs an emergency stocking. These are the only food items that you may purchase with money other than the $3.30 per day.  This would allow you the same beginning larder as a person attending our pantries while you wouldn’t be stressing our pantries supply. This is the list for one person...

1 Jar of Red Sauce                   1 pound of Pasta               1 bottle of Juice

2 cans Vegetables                     2 cans Soups                     1 can of Fruit

1 can of Beans or Lentils           1 can of tuna                      1 can meals (Pasta & Meatball Type)

1 box of Cereal                        1 jar of Peanut Butter         2 Starch Sides (Rice a Roni type)

1 Snack                                    1 meat  for 1 meal              2 odds & ends (condiments, etc. - you may choose)

1 dozen eggs                            1 pound butter blend

Please fill in this form and submit to pdowling@shorelinesoupkitchens.org or print it and mail to

Patty Dowling

The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries

P.O. Box 804

Essex, Ct 06426