Monday, October 20, 2008

To Copy into Newsletters & Church Bulletins

Take the Food Stamp Challenge
You are invited to take the 2008 South Dakota Food Stamp Challenge, Nov. 16-22, Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.
The Challenge invites us to eat as healthy as we can for only $25 per person for the week. Why $25? That is the average food stamp allotment in South Dakota. Too often housing, medicines and other costs use up people's cash income.
This event will help raise awareness about struggles many people in our state and nation face trying to eat only on food stamps. For guidelines and for signing up: http://sdchallenge.blogspot.com/
Sponsored by Community Food Banks of South Dakota, Black Hills Regional Food Bank, & Bread for the World -SD

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

NEW: The 2008 South Dakota Food Stamp Challenge

November 16-22, 2008, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in South Dakota.

What's different from 2007? The average food stamp allotment is $25/week per person, up from $21 last year.

THE CHALLENGE: Eat for a full week on $25 per person.
That is the average food stamp allowance in South Dakota.

GUIDELINES
Spend only $25 on food and beverages during the week for your total food intake.
In other words,
• Include in the total all food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week, including fast food and dining out.
• Do not eat food you already own. (A family fleeing domestic violence would not have garden produce or even seasonings or condiments, though they might pick up salt & pepper packets somewhere.)
• Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, at work or elsewhere.
• Exclude sales tax from your $25. Fortunately, food stamp purchases are not taxed.
• Find ways to report on your experience to others.

Think of opportunities to challenge your groups , churches, committees & boards, media people, public officials, chefs, and yourself to take the Food Stamp Challenge.

Experience first-hand some of the struggle people face on a regular basis trying to piece together a healthy diet. For many, housing, medicine, and other costs gobble up their cash, leaving little or no cash for food but only their food stamps.