The Food Research and Action Center founded Maryland Hunger Solutions which "works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of individuals, children and families in Maryland," according to their website.
When digging into info about SNAP on their website, you'll see a page inviting you to take a SNAP Challenge, to help better understand the benefit and how far it actually goes.
"Currently, the average benefit is about $22 for the week - or about $1.47 per person per meal," according to the website.
"The challenge is really a way to identify and to get empathy for the challenges people experiencing poverty really do have," says Michael J. Wilson, the Director of Maryland Hunger Solutions.
How to Take the Challenge:
- Plan to spend the average SNAP benefit as your budget for 5 days. That amount is $22 for all food and beverages.
- All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week must be included in the total spending.
- During the Challenge, only eat food that you purchase for the project. Do not eat food that you already own (this does not include spices and condiments).
- Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions, briefings, or other events where food is served (with the exception of food eaten at public places where anyone could eat, e.g., a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, etc.).
- Invite others to join you, including co-workers, reporters, chefs, or elected officials.
"When I've done the challenge, and I've done it several times, it's not comfortable, it's not happy," says Wilson. "You find yourself grumpy and hangry."
Wilson added that the cut in benefits will be a loss of around a billion dollars in Maryland over the next year, and that won't just impact people on SNAP, but also local businesses and grocery stores.
When WMAR-2 News asked how people can help, he said, "you can make donations, but you also have to talk to your policy makers."
