Nov 23, 2014 | Food Stamp Challenge
#limitedcharacters #limitedfood …but unlimited distress. One in eight families struggle with hunger in the DC area, and, according to a population survey from 2012, every county in America exhibits some level of food insecurity (Gundersen, C., E. Engelhard, A. Satoh, & E. Waxman). Working at Miriam’s Kitchen this semester gave me a particular interest and passion for hunger and homelessness, and I was extremely excited to be able to participate in spreading awareness through the Snap Challenge. When I first began the challenge, I was surprised by how fast the first day went by. As an over-achieving GW college student, there are often many days when I either forget to eat a meal or only have time to scarf down a granola bar while running around fulfilling my various responsibilities. So Sunday went by, I had spent no more than $3.00, and I was not feeling like I had given anything up. It was slightly alarming. So when I began to contemplate writing this blog entry, I had a much different concept in mind. After that first night, I hypothesized that I would write about how overly committed students (like myself) can also be thought of as food insecure, and how this was an issue that needs to be addressed. It was an initially compelling idea; the comparison between those who were searching for food and those who were searching for time for food. But while this is an issue, I completely underestimated the true effect of living for an extended amount of time on $4.30 a day. Each day, my sense of smell increased exponentially. Walking by the...
Nov 20, 2014 | Food Stamp Challenge
I am on day 4 of the SNAP Challenge and I feel significantly different. After going to the grocery store, the SNAP Challenge was much easier, however, it is amazing how little produce I was able to afford with the SNAP Challenge budget. I was able to buy 3 bananas and frozen corn as part of the budget. While I have had enough food to make me full throughout the week, without produce and fresh food, I have felt very tired and rather sluggish. This has been hard for me during a stressful week of school and I cannot even imagine how much more difficult it would be for someone working multiple jobs or with...
Nov 20, 2014 | Food Stamp Challenge
ALL OF THE PASTA!!! So, three days ago when I was food shopping for the week of the SNAP challenge, I thought It would be smart to get pasta, a jar of sauce, a box of granola bars, and some apples. I didn’t realize how quickly I would get tired of pasta!!! I’m Italian, so pasta has always been a staple in my life, but this is completely different. When its your only choice, it gets old very fast. Its so complex. Also, my two boxes of pasta are dwindling fast. Though I’m getting a bit tired of it, it is a food source. Only two and a half days to go and I’m not sure the pasta will make...
Nov 20, 2014 | Food Stamp Challenge
What did you eat today: Coffee, Boxed mac and cheese with frozen peas, one slice of Whole Foods pizza. How is the experience: So far, difficult! Living in DC, it is difficult to find anything to eat that is less than $4.30. While when divided, my mac and cheese and frozen peas only came to to about .60, I did not feel full or healthy afterwards. The pizza was the only thing I could find that would not break my daily budget and would be ready quickly. I feel that living on food stamps requires extreme planning and preparation, which most people on food stamps do not have the time to do. At the end of the day, I feel low in energy and not as ready to take on the week as I usually am. I am anxious to see what the rest of this experience...
Nov 20, 2014 | Food Stamp Challenge
Here’s my reflection on the striving to complete the week, published by the GW Hatchet the first time I participated....
Nov 12, 2014 | Food Stamp Challenge
On the side of the page and post about your observations and experiences living on $4.50 a day!
Nov 12, 2014 | Food Stamp Challenge
GW’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is from Sunday November 16th to Sunday November 22nd. Throughout the week GW will be facilitating discussions, hosting speakers, and educating students on issues involving hunger and homelessness in America. This year the College Democrats are proud to put on the GW SNAP Challenge once again. Join our kickoff in MARVIN 310 at 6pm on THURSDAY November 12th to get full detailed information about the challenge, and then join us on Tuesday November 18th in the Continental Ballroom of the Marvin Center for a policy discussion with the College Republicans about government assistance programs. The SNAP Challenge is a week long event in which students and staff will live within a budget that resembles that of an individual living on food stamps in America. This rounds to about $4 a day for a week. We join a wide array of political figures, religious and community leaders, and citizens of all ages who have taken the challenge in order to gain a better understanding of the struggled that so many face on a daily basis. While we understand that living within this budget for a week cannot come close to what life is like for people living in this situation every day for weeks, months, and years, we complete this challenge to promote awareness and stand in solidarity with so many who are...
