Congress Members To Live Like Food Stamp Recipients

Four members of the United States House of Representatives have taken on a unique challenge: before deciding whether a proposed increase in the Food Stamp budget is necessary, they will try living like Food Stamp recipients themselves, the Washington Post reported. They have pledged only to eat what they can buy with $21 for a week, that amount being the average amount received by persons in the Food Stamp Program.

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.