Hunger and Other Pangs As Challenge Ends

By George Jones | June 12, 2007

It is day 7 of my Food Stamp Challenge, and I am only slightly embarrassed to admit how happy I am that the final day has arrived. First, a brief recap of my diet for the past few days:

Friday I had one bowl of grits (with sugar added, of course), a banana, and one boiled egg for breakfast. For lunch there was tuna on two slices of bread and my last banana, and dinner consisted of a baked potato and two servings of corn. My weekend was characterized by fair to middling meals on the taste scale. The lack of variety was stark, and I really had to juggle my use of eggs, bologna and tuna in order to at least trick myself into believing that I was having a well-balanced meal. I found myself feeling hungrier than usual more than once or twice during the last days of the Challenge.

The most memorable thing about this weekend took place Friday night, and it didn't concern the baked potato. I was invited to discuss the Food Stamp Challenge on WHUR radio's Daily Drum news show on Friday night. The host, Herman Washington, asked me a few basic questions about Bread for the City, my personal experience with the Challenge, and the importance of the Food Stamp Challenge and the Food Stamp program. I spoke about BFC's 30-year history of providing food and assistance to many Food Stamp recipients, and generally described the proposed Feeding America's Families Act of 2007. A few WHUR listeners then called in to the show to pose some questions.

I was taken aback at the some of the callers' negative perspectives about people needing food stamps. One woman emphasized that the food stamp program is "only meant to be a supplement," and that people have to add his or her own resources to make up the difference. I responded that many of the people who come to Bread for the City live in situations where they have no family or other supports, and are often elderly or suffer from some disability, further limiting their ability to benefit from resources in addition to food stamps.

I was kicking myself afterwards for not pointing out to the caller what one of our clients, Ms. W, said about trying to increase her resources while on food stamps.

Ms. W shared: "The amount [of food stamp benefits I receive] is different every month. One month I might get a $125 child support check - that means that the next month my food stamp benefits are cut thirty or forty dollars. Or maybe I find some part-time seasonal employment and make a few hundred bucks - that means that I get less benefits as well. It's hard not to feel like you're being punished just as you're trying to get ahead. It's like you work a little just to lose what you have. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."

Her statement testifies to the dilemma every current user of the Food Stamp program faces. This mother of two tries to increase her own personal resources, as the caller suggested, only to be seemingly punished with decreased assistance.

But it was the final caller's harsh words that really angered me. He complained that some food stamp recipients get food stamps simply to sell them. This kind of criticism always riles me up. I pointed out to the caller that the majority of needy people and food stamp recipients are law abiding. Yes, a small minority will abuse the program, but one need only visit Bread for the City to witness the families and individuals who come to us and know that these are people who are truly in need.

The families and individuals who come to Bread for the City have an average annual income of only $7,000. They are struggling to live their lives with the dignity, respect, and justice that is their right. Again, I invite anyone who doubts the extreme need in our nation to visit Bread for the City. I also invite our supporters to speak with people like Ms. W who are using every bit of their energy, “trying to stay strong.” I invite you to meet our staff, many of whom took part in the Food Stamp Challenge - the real world version, and this week's version. I also ask you to get involved by taking part in the Food Research and Action Coalition's Anti-Hunger Call-in Days from June 6 to June 15.

And now, final reflections from two BFC staff:

Meredith, Intern
Final wrap-up. Well, I'm hungry. I woke up as such. Today is my birthday, though, and I couldn't be happier that the Challenge is ending, for obvious reasons. It's been a real strain for me to stick to the regimen. Sometimes I felt my money burning a hole in my wallet. I did very well, however; except for one weak night involving the most delicious English muffin I've ever eaten.

I sincerely hope the battle doesn't end here. A lot of good people have a done a great job bringing this issue to the spotlight. I hope they take what they've learned through this experience and use it to educate others. Because if I learned one thing from skimming the blogs and articles related to the Challenge, it's that a lot of people have some serious misconceptions about Food Stamps. Hopefully, there won't be a need for the Food Stamp Challenge next year – but if there is, count me in.

Karen Nathan, Finance Director
Since I started the challenge on Monday, yesterday was my last day. I made it through with minimal cheating. I was very tired last week - I have a couple of papers to write for school [Karen is working towards an MA in Non-profit Management], but didn't get them started, much less finished - just didn't have much energy. This brought to mind all the children who have to eat like this year-round. Learning is difficult enough, but how much more difficult it must be when you aren't eating the right foods to keep one's mind and body healthy. I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought a bunch of fresh fruit - that is going to be tonight's dinner. I am happy that I can now eat healthily, but feel a great amount of sorrow for those who don't have that option. In this land of plenty, it is a great injustice.