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 about $4 per day worth of food – the average food stamp benefit. Challenge participants are forced to make difficult food shopping choices, and often realize how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy.
Members of Congress, governors, state officials, journalists and other community leaders have taken the Challenge and have learned first hand what it is like to try to make ends meet on the average food stamp benefit.
After paying for housing, energy and health care expenses, many low-income households have little or no money remaining to spend on food without food stamp benefits. In addition, most food stamp households report that their food stamp benefits do not last the entire month and many are forced to turn to food pantries and soup kitchens.
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.
The Food Stamp Challenge Toolkit (see box) includes facts about the SNAP/Food Stamp Program, a list of those who have participated, media coverage about the Challenge, and template materials such as a media advisory and press release to spread the word about the Challenge.
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