Arkansas Hunger Challenge
Beginning today, I'll join 21 other Arkansas lawmakers and will spend just $3 per day for food through Wednesday in an effort to raise awareness of hunger in Arkansas. This amount is roughly equal to the benefit 380,000 Arkansas recipients of food stamps receive for groceries.
This challenge was brought to us by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Arkansas Hunger Coalition and is being spearheaded by Hope Coulter and Rep. Kathy Webb (D-Little Rock). I sponsored Act 1183 of 2007 in an effort to provide additional funding for the hunger alliance and its mission, and I'm hopeful that participating in this project will further raise awareness to hunger in our state. In a country that has long enjoyed a remarkable period of prosperity, there are multitudes of people right here in Arkansas that are still waiting on the 1928 "chicken in every pot" promise to be fulfilled.
I do recognize that this project may ring a little hollow to some -- it's easy for people like me to take part in an exercise like this when, at the end of the three-day period, I get to go back to my stocked pantry while those less fortunate will to continue to fight everyday challenges associated with their plight. Regardless, I'm happy to participate and hope that doing so will not only bring awareness but will enlighten me on a $3 per day sustenance.
I went to the store last night and picked up my groceries -- I'm posting my receipt here to show how little $3 per day will buy (click the receipt to enlarge it). One problem I found is that drinks are out of the question. I'm going to have to stick to water. I thought Hamburger Helper would be a good option, but hamburger is out of my price range. Here's this week's menu:
Monday Breakfast: 2 bananas
Monday Lunch: balogna sandwich
Monday Supper: spaghetti (noodles only), corn, bread
Tuesday Breakfast: 2 biscuits, cup of yogurt
Tuesday Lunch: macaroni & cheese, bread
Tuesday Supper: Beef & vegetable soup, bread
Wednesday Breakfast: 2 biscuits
Wednesday Lunch: balogna sandwich
Wednesday Supper: Swanson's TV dinner; dessert is Yoplait Chocolate Yogurt
This challenge was brought to us by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Arkansas Hunger Coalition and is being spearheaded by Hope Coulter and Rep. Kathy Webb (D-Little Rock). I sponsored Act 1183 of 2007 in an effort to provide additional funding for the hunger alliance and its mission, and I'm hopeful that participating in this project will further raise awareness to hunger in our state. In a country that has long enjoyed a remarkable period of prosperity, there are multitudes of people right here in Arkansas that are still waiting on the 1928 "chicken in every pot" promise to be fulfilled.
I do recognize that this project may ring a little hollow to some -- it's easy for people like me to take part in an exercise like this when, at the end of the three-day period, I get to go back to my stocked pantry while those less fortunate will to continue to fight everyday challenges associated with their plight. Regardless, I'm happy to participate and hope that doing so will not only bring awareness but will enlighten me on a $3 per day sustenance.
I went to the store last night and picked up my groceries -- I'm posting my receipt here to show how little $3 per day will buy (click the receipt to enlarge it). One problem I found is that drinks are out of the question. I'm going to have to stick to water. I thought Hamburger Helper would be a good option, but hamburger is out of my price range. Here's this week's menu:Monday Breakfast: 2 bananas
Monday Lunch: balogna sandwich
Monday Supper: spaghetti (noodles only), corn, bread
Tuesday Breakfast: 2 biscuits, cup of yogurt
Tuesday Lunch: macaroni & cheese, bread
Tuesday Supper: Beef & vegetable soup, bread
Wednesday Breakfast: 2 biscuits
Wednesday Lunch: balogna sandwich
Wednesday Supper: Swanson's TV dinner; dessert is Yoplait Chocolate Yogurt
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 8/13/2007 07:09:00 AM | Permalink |
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