Congress Members To Live Like Food Stamp Recipients
Legislation is pending before the House of Representatives that would increase the Food Stamp Program budget from $33 billion to $37 billion for the 26 million Americans who use Food Stamps. In an effort to help legislators appreciate the need for an increase in this budget, Representatives Jim McGovern and (D-Mass.) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) issued the "Food Stamp Challenge" to their fellow legislators. McGovern and Emerson chair the House Hunger Caucus. Those who accepted the challenge yesterday will live off $21 for a week, which equates to $3 per day.
The flock of legislators agreeing to live like a food stamp recipient consisted of exactly two people: Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.). The challenge participants have all agreed to bypass any free food offered them such as that provided at Capitol Hill receptions. Congressman Ryan and McGovern are both detailing their experiences online.
Congressman Ryan went shopping yesterday. According to his detailed report at timryan.house.gov, for his $21 he bought a bag of cornmeal for $1.43, two jars of strawberry preserves, for $4.00, one jar of chunky peanut butter for $2.48, two boxes of angel hair pasta for $1.54, one can of coffee at $2.50, three jars of tomato sauce for $4.50, two cartons of cottage cheese for $3.00, one loaf of wheat bread for $.89, and one head of garlic for $.32. Congressman Ryan has a reserve of $.34 in case this doesn't get him through the week.
When shopping, Congressman Ryan passed up eggs at $1.29 and fresh produce and milk because of the cost. He reports a decrease in his energy level and feeling hungry and tired- after only one day.
Congressman McGovern is invited to a fundraising dinner for Hilary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) tonight where he plans to dine on tap water. For his shopping, he took along a real food stamp recipient from DC, hoping to cash in on her expertise. He reported buying spaghetti and hamburger meat high in fat- the cheapest kind.
Readers can follow these House Members' experiences living like Food Stamp recipients this week on their blogs: timryan.house.gov and foodtampchallenge.typepad.gov.
Sources: Layton, Lindsey "Lawmakers Find $21 a Week Doesn't Buy a Lot of Groceries," The Washington Post, 5/16/07; timryan.house.gov, foodstampchallenge.typepad.gov
Published by Carol Bengle Gilbert - Featured Contributor in Travel and Lifestyle
2010 Yahoo! Outstanding Contributor of the Year, Carol has consistently been designated a Top 100 Yahoo! Contributor Network writer. She received a 2008 People's Media Award for "Best Article." Web writing... View profile
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- Congressman Ryan will use cornmeal for grits in the morning and polenta at night.
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- At a gala fundraising dinner tonight, McGovern will dine on tap water.
52 Comments
Post a CommentAfter they got done, did it help, or did they just go back to eating oysters on the half-shell?
ahha was Tim talking about you on the webinar? This is a little reality check for those in power.
It is about time the politicians try to live like the people they control. Why do they think so many people on government assistance turn to selling drugs or prostitution? They can't scrape by on what the government gives them and jobs are hard to find, even in fast food.
I think one of the key points here is that you are forced to eat higher fat, not as good for you foods when you live on this little. People are always surprised to learn that overweight and obesity correlates with lower income, not higher--and that's one of the reasons why, it seems.
I hope they learn something they can apply to their 'day jobs' from this experiment. It certainly is putting a spotlight Food Stamp program. Nice job on this article.
Good article, Good report. Thanks for sharing.
I have lived on public asistance in my life and I can attest to the fact that it is a time of hard decisions. During the time I was on assistance my aprtment was broke in to twice in one year. I was living in public housing. The reason for pointing out the break in is that not only was things like the tv and radio taken but the refidgerator was emptied as well, I mean even open milk. A person has to get pretty desperate to steal half a gallon of milk. I have not needed any assistance from the government in years and hope I never do again. Living on foodstamps is hard and it can be made better. This is a great country and we help our poor and our hungry more.
My husband and I are both on permanent disability, starting in our 40s. We got food stamps for about three years since he hasn't been able to work, but suddenly they decided to cancel them, along with Medicaid, and charge us for our Medicare. I left my husband a year ago last February and the only reason I'm not on the street is that my 82-year-old mother owns this house. Still, it isn't easy subsiding on $544.00 a month with no food stamps and no Medicare or spend-down. I am very greatful for this income, but it's really hard to live on.
Medical and dental care and such frivilous things as eating out and movies are out of the question now.
It should happen more often :)
Great report...being from the state with the second-highest number of representatives, it's discouraging that none of the Texas Reps took the challenge.