Can you live on $4.90 a day?

Take the Cal Fresh Challenge to show how life is like for those on food stamps

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC) is challenging community members to take part in the Cal Fresh Challenge from Sept. 9-15, which gives participants a view of what life can be like for millions of low-income Americans.

During the week-long challenge, participants will be challenged to spend just $34.31 on food and beverages, which amounts to $4.90 per day. 

According to SDHC, the challenge started in 2007 when four members of Congress decided to live for a week on an average food stamp budget. The goal of the event is to raise awareness and understanding around the challenges faced by millions of Americans receiving CalFresh/SNAP benefits. 

SDHC leads collaborative initiatives and public policy advocacy activities to reduce hunger and increase participation in Federal nutrition programs in San Diego County.

Those who pledge to take part in the challenge will be asked to eat and drink within the budget, not eat food they already own, not accept free food and drinks, and document the experience in a daily journal.

"The cost of a container of coffee or fresh fruits and vegetables will never be looked at in the same way again," wrote the San Diego Hunger Coalition in a release.
To learn more about the challenge or to participate, click HERE.

via SDGLN.com