Day#1

Well, the Food Stamp Program officially started yesterday and, let me tell you, I can foresee that this is going to be a very interesting month! The thought in my head today is that I am fortunate that I am participating by choice. The people who live in poverty don't have a choice of being hungry when there is not enough food and no more money for the week to buy food.

I also am thinking about the assumptions we make about those living in poverty and the excuses we make for why it's "not our problem." Case in point, somebody said to me, "Don't forget...the food stamps are a supplement to help them buy the basics. They have other money to buy food with." This is a huuuuuge assumption; how do we know that there is more money within their budget? In my own personal life, with fuel prices being what they are, my budget at home is pretty tight with not much wiggle room.

I am living the next month as if I have $21.00 for food and that is IT. And I can tell you...it's not a lot.