Could you feed yourself for $31.50 per week?
EUGENE, Ore. - Could you feed yourself for $31.50 per week?
That's the National Food Stamp Challenge, which runs from November 11-17.
As part of the challenge, participants will spend $31.50 for all of their food for the entire week, which is the average food stamp benefit for individuals.
Other members of the community, including Lauren Lee from KVAL News and some from Food For Lane County, will also be participating in the challenge.
To preview the challenge and to encourage others to participate, Food for Lane County executive director Beverlee Hughes took the challenge one week early.
“One of the reasons I want to do this is I want to see for myself if I can continue to eat in a healthy manner but have to make really difficult choices with a limited amount of money,” said Hughes. “I don’t pretend at all that this one week challenge is gonna help me understand what a real family is going through, but it was meant to help me have a better understanding than what I have right now of how difficult this must be.”
Oregon leads the nation in food stamp use. According to the Census Bureau, in 2011 some 18.9 percent - nearly 1 in 5 families - was receiving the government aid in Oregon.
Nationally, 1 in 8 families rely on food stamps.
“If you’re not around it and you don’t see the long lines coming out of the back of churches or pantries on the days they’re open, I think some people are surprised when they hear our numbers of how high it is – the number of people who are hungry throughout Lane County,” said Hughes.
In Lane County, 82,650 people are on food stamps according to October 2012 statistics from the DHS and the SNAP program.
Before the challenge, Hughes planned out every meal for the week and made a list of groceries before she arrived at WinCo.
Dana Baxter, the nutritionist at Food for Lane County, said this is something that’s important to do when you have a limited budget.
“The shopping list gives you a lot more focus when you’re at the grocery store. It eliminates the chances of buying some of those impulse buys at the grocery store if you don’t have a shopping list,” said Baxter.
Baxter says there are several ways to save money. She encourages purchasing seasonal fruits and vegetables, shopping in the bulk section of the grocery store, and purchasing ingredients to make a dish rather than pre-packaged, pre-made food.
What about protein? There are less expensive options than meats and poultry.
“Try to focus on plant based proteins like beans, legumes. You can make soups and chiles out of them. They’re very high in fiber which a lot of the animal based proteins are not and you still get a lot of protein for not a lot of money,” said Baxter.
After her grocery shopping, Hughes spent around $28 on meals for the entire week. We will keep you updated on her progress.
Lauren Lee from KVAL News plans to blog and tweet about her experience during the challenge and the larger issue of hunger in Oregon at #FoodStampState
What is the Food Stamp Challenge?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - also known as SNAP - makes a difference in the lives of millions of Americans across the country. The Food Stamp Challenge gives participants a view of what life can be like for the nearly 46.6 millions of low-income Americans who use food stamps. The Challenge lasts for one week, and you will live on $31.50 worth of food ($1.50 per meal), which is the average food stamp benefit. During the week - you can only eat food you’ve purchased with that allotment. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and beverages. Our Food Stamp Challenge will be the week of November 11-17, 2012.
Challenge participants are forced to make food shopping choices on a limited budget, and often realize how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy with too few resources.
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.
Who is participating in the Food Stamp Challenge?
KVAL reporter Lauren Lee and members of Food For Lane County will be participating in the challenge during November 11-17. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have participated in national food stamp challenges in the past including Members of Congress, governors, state legislators, mayors, advocates for elderly persons and children, religious and community leaders, reporters, and average citizens have taken the Challenge. We encourage those in the community to participate and share your experiences!
Can I participate in the Food Stamp Challenge?
Yes! Challenge week is from November 11-17. If you would like to participate, let us know! We encourage you to tweet about your experiences, share your recipes with others, ask questions to fellow participants, and more.
We will be using the Twitter hashtag #FoodStampChallenge
What are the challenge guidelines?
1. Each person should spend a set amount for food and beverages during the Challenge week. That amount is $31.50 for all food and beverage.
2. All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week, including fast food and dining out, must be included in the total spending.
3. 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).
4. Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions, briefings, or other events where food is served.
5. Keep track of receipts on food spending and take note of your experiences throughout the week.
6. Invite others to join you, including family, friends, co-workers, and others.
What is SNAP? Is it like food stamps?
As of Oct. 1, 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. The new name reflects a focus on nutrition and an increase in benefit amounts. SNAP is the federal name for the program. State programs may have different names.
I used to be on food stamps and since 2 years ago when I went back in to reapply and was denied I cried not because i couldnt afford it but because i no longer needed it but now i see people checking out groceries with laser cut car keys and coach wallets and louis vuitton bags walking to their highly expensive cars and i think wow such highway robbery.Â
I also feed a family of 4 including myself and tops we clock 100/wk in food no stamps honestly I think the state needs to make people take self sufficiency classes. to help those learn how to expand there dollars. to request less from our state.
oh and I forgot our food cost each month..around $350-$500 for a family of four.Â
 @LanecoRes 350-500 a month for a family of 4.. NICE.. Just before my mum passed away in January 2009, I was staying at my parents home to help my mum who was dying, then there was my father, my brother and his daughter (he had just lost his job), and myself.. So there is 5 (FIVE) people ages 7-60.. and I paid the food bill for a month.. and I took ALL my food stamps and what little cash I could scrounge for came up with 200 for the whole month.. and that was for five people.. thank g-d for costco and bulk buying.. oh and I have severe food allergies.. (dairy, eggs, raspberries, honey, strawberries, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish).. so if  you want to ramble on that your food budge for your family is $350-500 for a month.. try $200 for 5 people or the equivalence to $40 a person per month aka $10 a week for food.. I can say that there was not much fresh produce outside potatoes and iceberg lettuce, carrots, and a few tomatoes... and the donation from a very good friend of mine 40 pounds of meat from a cow that they had slaughtered.. we mainly ate beans, rice,  and spaghetti (as I make my own sauce from the tomatoes that I GROW outside my apartment so I can make my food budge CHEEPER).Â
 @quackerbacker  @LanecoRes 2009 food was a little cheaper... and we really don't eat extravagant meals. I cook most dinners meat, potatoes, veggies.. usually nothing out of a box or frozen box. Food is outrageous. $350- $500 a month for our food cost and we don't have t-bone of expensive meats. We go to Costco and Winco and it's still expensive. If you lived off $200 for a family of 5, that's really eating beans and rice a lot.  Didn't your brother that just lost his job get food stamps for he and his daughter? Plus your food stamps... Lets see 3 X $186....$558. what did u do with the rest of the $358 sell them??????Â
@LanecoRes .. Oh I forgot. I did not buy steaks.. Did NOT buy meat and our meals were rarely meat, potatoes and a veggie. Beans and rice, bean soup, chicken soup (chicken came from zaycon foods out of my freezer), spaghetti, mozzarella chicken, ect... Oh in my home commercial prepared foods are NOT ALLOWED (canned fish, canned veggies, frozen, ect... I even make my own bread.. Cheaper to make than buy.. And no bread maker either)
@LanecoRes @quackerbacker No I did not sell them.. And my brother was INELLIGABLE for food stamps..for his unemployment was $3 above the states maximum limit.. So it was NOT.. And I did NOT and never have I got $186 in food stamps.. Back in 2009 while on FMLA I had a job but no income but because I was living off my savings I got $115 in FS benefits so $85 came out of MY savings for 4 months.. Do not assume that everyone gets the same amount, for they do not..
Let's also pretend that we get the LIHEAP assistance for our heating bills and other low income utility assistance. Then we can also go get food boxes each month, and don't forget "cash" assistance each month. Lets also pay Section 8 rent rates/low income housing.. Let's say around $50-$450 per month depending on your "low" income. Lets see now... if u add in all these free/discounts for "low" income, sure!! we could all survive off $31.50 or so a month free food benefits.!Â
For real working people monthly cost: mortgage rent $1000-1500, utility bills $100-250, phone internet $100, gas to work $350, deductible/prescriptions/co pays/ medical bills/monthly premiums (because we don't get free medical) $400, car insurance $80, water/sewer $80, school lunch cost for our kids(don't get free luches!)$40, cost we all have! Who's better off now, the working people working 40 hours a week living payday to payday, or people who get assistance each month and don't have to work?
Snap is good for those that really need it and use it right. But when we shop on a budget and see people with their snap cards buying pop, frozen foods and large steaks something is not right. They can use there snap card to buy coffee at Starbucks what's up with that?? People need to learn to cook.
When Obamacare kicks in and Employers are forces to cut the work week to 32 hours to avoid paying healthcare costs, the plan is to use food stamps to make up the difference, it is obviously cheaper to pay the fine rather than try and get minimal insurance coverage, that should impact food stamp eligiblity, More food stamps, less healthcare.
I spent 5 years working for Albertsons, and thought I would chime in with my 2 cents, and it never ceased to amaze me the amount of people who would pull out multiple food stamps cards for one bill! The women with their Lois Vutton purses and 2.5 karat wedding rings pulling out their Oregon Trail cards to pay for their bill. Or the people who would use their food stamps cards to pay for their food, then use their pay checks to pay for their beer and cigarettes. With 18.9% on some sort of government aide is ridiculous, and we need to go back to people being self sufficient, and not government dependent.
I believe that government assistance has become something of government slavery. It encourages unemployment, by not having any REAL checks and balances. It does not encourage financial independence, and needs to be reformed to include checks and balances.Â
Many Wal Mart employees ..yes, employees...brag about being on Food stamps, so they can afford a 3 bedroom house with a yard, their new truck, etc.....this is totally wrong in my book.Â
If you don't believe me, go to the W. 11th Wal Mart and ask the people work there. There is no good reason for people who work to be on Food stamps. None.
It is called rice and beans. As good a diet as there is. If you need to eat more get a job. The state gives kids living at home right out of high school food stamps. If  you want to change things stop electing the same morons over and over. Defazio and Kitzhaber are always going to =higher taxes less jobs. The worst part about food stamps is it comes out of someones paycheck who works and needs that money for themselves. But the government knows what is best for your paycheck and they are out to take allot more of it.
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 @givupongod I'm guessing that you couldn't be bothered to read either my comments, or those of RougeCoyote before you shot off your mouth.  Wake up, givupongod, there are many people within your society who simply CAN'T work a job under ANY circumstances, whether due to catastrophic injury or accident of birth.  Your obvious resentment of these congenitally desperate people just makes you look like a completely self-absorbed and ignorant boob.  I DO hope that's not what you're actually going for?!
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"Just get a job"?! Â JUST GET A CLUE!!!
 @Peter  Yes I read your posts and understand there are disabled people out there. No resentment from me. I am talking about people who are just too lazy to work. Which is the majority of people on food stamps. I resent taxes being taken out of my check to support a teenage slut to stupid to use birth control. That one really bothers me.
 @givupongod  I'm glad you clarified that, giveupongod.  I quite agree that there are legions of freeloaders out there who delight in feeding off of a system that was never intended for them.  The 'stupid teenage slut' you mention is of particular annoyance to ME as well.  To my mind, the answer would be to assemble a sufficient government force to go through the roles, case by case, and root out the able bodied leeches, one at a time.  Think of all the jobs this undertaking would supply.  How do we pay for it?  Get out of Afghanistan.  And while we're at it, we can apply our military to removing the illegals here at home and keeping them from coming back, as well.  But simply shutting down the assistance system will also punish millions of perfectly deserving Americans who have nowhere else to turn.
 @Peter  @givupongod Stop making excuses ..if you can type on this page you can get some kind of a job...
 @Fennforests   In point of fact, I DO NOT type on this page,  Fennforests.  I dictate my messages to my wife to type, who has also read me the other comments on this page.  Your stubbornly cavalier attitude is EXACTLY what the rest of the world looks at, and refers to as 'The Ugly American'!
 @Fennforests Woooow... you do not know that. At all. Someone being able to type something on the internet from their home means NOTHING to their ability to get a job.
In my household there's my wife who broke her back 7 years ago, my 14 year old daughter who has epilepsy, and myself who is a stay at home dad. We live off of my wife's SSI payment of $700. We get $465 in SNAP. $465 x 12 months = $5580 a year. $5580 divided by 52 weeks = $107.31 a week. Take that number and divide it by three members in our house and we live on $35.77 a week per household member. Can it be done...Yes, but not easily. I don't know how far we could go though if it wasn't for my wife who is a coupon wizard. As most of you parents know, having a teenager in the house and having a full cupboard are not synonymous with each other. We go into Roseburg once a month to do shopping. And all the trips are planned out. Most of the food that we by is bulk food and that helps out a lot. I don't think that we would be able to do it if SNAP was done on a weekly basis. (You can't buy bulk on $35) So to wrap this up....Can it be done. Yes, barely. If the meals are planed out ahead of time, you cook most of your dinner from scratch (Which is much healthier), and your wife is a coupon wizard. But like I said. My wife has a broken back. So she can sit at the computer looking up/for coupons for hours. (90% of you don't have that luxury). Now most people I know couldn't even come close to shopping the way we do. Maybe its because we grew up poor and learned how to budget at an early age. And for the record. That $700 a month we get from SSI, not one cent of that is spent on food. Between rent, electric, gas, LP gas, insurance, phone, and Internet were slowly sinking into the red and will soon have to cut either the phone or Internet off next month. And you can bet there's not going to be much of a thanksgiving dinner or much of a Christmas.Â
 @RougeCoyote I will help you have a thanksgiving dinner :) my husband and i always love to help people because in the end it makes you unforgettable :)
Hey KVAL?! Â What's all this crap about 'awaiting approval'?! Â I've made several comments here, on various subjects, and you've yet to 'approve' even ONE of them! Â Do any of these these other fine folk have to wait for 'approval'?!
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If THIS is your idea of 'fair and balanced coverage', I believe I shall have some trouble trusting your take on the new, in future!Â
 @Peter Yes, we had to wait for approval. It doesn't generally take very long. And you're done, so there. Welcome.
 @PleaseBeSmart Thanks.  So, did my original comment post for you guys?  I still says 'awaiting approval' on MY version of the page.
 @Peter Hm... I actually cannot see it. Not sure if it's just me, but it's not there.
 @PleaseBeSmart Oh good, it's finally posted...just below your original comment.  As you will see, I feel very strongly that a responsible opposing viewpoint needed to be presented here in light of the majority of unsympathetic posts which have appeared on this thread.   Hope my remarks, and those of one or two others here, can help to open up some minds and hearts around the community.  Peace.
 @Peter Nope, the only comments that show up for you are these 2 and 1 on that thieving waitress. You may just want to post it again. I don't think it's KVAL trying to censor you; they're pretty good about allowing any opinion as long as it's not a violation of the commenting rules. But the comment system has been a bit buggy since they've switched to their own system... seems like some of the kinks are still being worked out. But now that your account has approval you should have no more problems posting. :)
 @Whitehawk and @OregonOrator are right... this is completely misleading. I get that you're trying to create sympathy and all, but give me a break. That $31.50 isn't at all intended to be your only funds to purchase food. It's SUPPLEMENTAL nutrition assistance program. If you're getting $31.50 per week per person it's because you have other sources of income. Try using some of that for food rather than cell phones, cable, new car payments, brand-name clothes, pets, restaurants, alcohol or cigarettes. ;)
I am so sick of the 'poor me' mentality here in Oregon. Â I was a single mother and never, ever signed up for Food Stamps, welfare or other benefits. I worked, sometimes 2 or 3 jobs. Â Most of these people have smart phones, cable tv, etc. Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for you at all.Â
The challenge should be on job creation.
The questions should be; How did we get to this point? How and why are so many people on food stamps? What do we do to fix the problem? How do we get people independent again, families taking care of their own, and off the Government assistance? Until we address these issues and put the necessary people in office with honor and truth, the problem will keep getting worse, and worse until ??????
@souptonuts The problem was imported from California
This news story is so misleading.. Absolutely no one in the united states lives on this amount of food stamps per week.. Food stamp benefits are based on many factors.. Even homeless people with no address receives the maximum benefit amount.Is this $31.50 calculated for just one single person? Does that person have a home? is there already staples such as /flour/sugar.pasta noodles/rice. spices,condiments in the home? Absolutely misleading!!!!!
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http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/pages/foodstamps/snap-info.aspx#eligible
I would like to see less University of Oregon graduates on food stamps, I personally know six graduates, none of which started out at a community college or paid for school themselves on food stamps. SNAP is a program for families who are low income and do not have the same privileges as UO graduates with a sense of entitlement. The graduates I know on SNAP were able to lie about their earnings to get more free food when they do have parents they could borrow money from. One student ate out at restaurants many nights and could have paid for his own food if he spent the money he spent eating at restaurants at the grocery store. Two of the graduates use their food stamps at Market of Choice. Not to say that people shouldn't, but that most families feeding their whole family could not afford to shop there with the amount they receive. SNAP should not be taken advantage of, there are families with multiple children that get less food stamps than these graduates. Sad.
I get 98.00 a month food stamps. Because my soc. sec disability check is 700. My rent and utilities are 600. My meds., even with medicaid are 35.00 a month. My car insurance is 27.00( gas is so high I cant afford to drive it). Internet service is the only recreation that a have, at 19.95 a month.  Even though this is limiting, it feels amazing. Because 3 years ago I was homeless with no income, no meds. and lived in my car. No food stamps either because I had no formal address and no means to prepare food.   I have worked since I was 14 and have always found ways to take care of myself. To this day I will look at whatever I receive and be grateful. There are always others that are worse off.
@Pat
SNAP Benefit Estimate Results This ESTIMATE is based on your income only! Cost allowed in this estimate may be less than you reported. You entered the following:
Number in house: 1 Elderly or Disabled members in house: FALSE Total Income: $700 Rent/Mortgage: $500 Utility: I pay for heat separate from rent. Dependent Care: $0 Child Support Paid: $0 Medical Costs: $0
Based on your entries, you may qualify for SNAP Benefits up to $200.00.
 @PatÂ
based on just an estimate ,,calculated on the Ore.gov page... you would qualify for this amount of food stamps per month.. the only way you would not, is if you have rent assistance in housing..
ID LOVE TO GET SNAP BENEFITS. I FEED MYSELF AND DAUGHTER ONÂ 75.00 A MONTH ! I HAVE A JOBÂ AND I WAS TOLD I MAKE TO MUCH MONEY.
I eat on $31.00 a week and less most of the time ! I am on dissability and have bills to pay which comes first. I am a good cook and know how to pull food together, I also eat very healthy by using flax seed, fresh vegetables and fruit. I cook from scratch-never purchase mixes. I have been disabled for 6 years and this is the first time in my life I have not had a job, so learning to live frugal was new to me. I can relate but the difference is so many people do not know how to put food together or how to budget accordingly. Classes are needed so people can learn how to sustain themselves.Â
Totally wrong figures.. In Oregon... one person receives at the minimum , $165 a month for food. This is with little to no income available..If what this news media is reporting is  standard payment in food stamps to a single person of $124 a month... 31.50 x 4 = 124//then that single person has other income to rely on,and that $124 food stamp allotment is based on that other income.That other income would be at least $1,150 per month or more to have food stamps cut down to only $124.For those on Social Security and also on Section 8 housing..that $124 would be typical payment for the month... but then the person receiving that amount is only paying 30% of income in rent.. this is erroneous news reporting..Where are they coming up with only $31.50 to live on for food,for the week?
 @Whitehawk Actually VERY FEW receive more than $140 per person (the $31.50 week equals out to be $126).. Almost ALL those on welfare with 1 or more children usually get the max of $200 per person unless they are homeless..Â
And BTW.. I work almost 40 hours  a week. yet I barely make 900 a month after taxes,, and I get LESS than the $124 that you state.. WAY WAY WAY LESS..Â
 @Whitehawk Don't know where you get your information but I receive the huge amount of $16.00 a month on the Oregon Trail Card. I am a single, senior and I live alone. That's $16.00 a month. Check your facts, please.Â
 @WhitehawkÂ
I am assuming that they are taking into accounting that this challenge includes the normal staples and condiments found in every home.. other wise..just to purchase salt/pepper/sugar..will eat up a chunk of that $31.50..ketchup/mustard/ mayo/ all cost money.. Was this $31.50 a salt free, fat free, sugar free diet.?. need to have cooking oil to cook with.. unless one plans on living on peanut butter and bread all week long..forget the margerine ,that won't fit into that 31,50 budget..beans and rice..no salt? really?  spices? oh those cost money too..
Unless this is a control study and no condiments and no staples included in an environment that could be monitored.to make sure..no cheating.. I doubt seriously that one can start with no staples..no condiments.. and use 31.50 for the entire 7 day week period and eat on that and have it taste good and supply the necessary nutrients and sugars the body needs to live on
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 @Whitehawk Please DO REREAD the guidelines. especially number 3 .. for it does say that the $31.50 does NOT include spices and condiments (and I think mayo, mustard, margerine/butter, salt, pepper, garlic salt, oil, ect are condiments)
This is horribly erroneous and disingenuous reporting. Food stamp s are merely supplemental to to ones other welfare and/or other income. It is not meant to be a cover for ALL of one's food bill. Most people on food stamps also collect cash welfare.