Who Took the Challenge?
Thank you to the elected officials, journalists and community leaders who took the Food Stamp Challenge. Here's what they had to say about their experience:
| U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D.-PA) |
"Before I participated in this challenge, I felt I was well informed about the hardships faced by those who need food stamps, but this challenge has really brought home the day-to-day struggle that 46 million Americans face. We in Congress must do all in our power to protect the SNAP program from these harmful cuts." |
| Annette John-Hall |  |
| Metro Columnist, The Philadelphia Inquirer | |
| "All I had to do is walk in the shoes of the food-insecure for a week and I barely made it. It’s easy to pat your foot with annoyance and judgment as someone in front of you in line puts food back because they can’t afford it. It’s something else entirely when you have to do it yourself. | |
| Read more: "Lessons of the Food Stamp Challenge," Inquirer |
| Marty Moss-Coane |
| Host, Radio Times, WHYY | |
"I found that buying food cheaply, the food doesn't necessarily taste that good and, it sounds like I'm whining here, but the kind of sensory experience of eating just isn't there. I am not a poor person. I'm experiencing a tiny, little, very temporary slice of what it's like to live on food stamps. It's very difficult, I have to say." Read more: 'Food Stamp Challenge' participants hungry (WHYY) |
| Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) |   |
As chair of the House Human Services Committee, Rep. DiGirolamo has called on the Corbett administration to reconsider the asset test for SNAP, which took effect May 1.“I’ve asked the Department (of Welfare) to reconsider and think about raising those income limits up,” DiGirolamo said, “and possibly include some other exemptions.” | |
| Read more: "DiGirolamo to eat on $5 a day," The Intelligencer |
| Rep. Tony Payton (D-Philadelphia) |
| Rep. Payton told The Philadelphia Tribune: "[The Challenge] really illuminates the plight of poor people, and those who have their foot on the necks of poor people. People are hurting. They need to stop these foolish policies. This is really a wakeup call to pay attention." | |
| Read more: "Officials challenge food stamp cuts," Tribune |
| Brian Gralnick |  |
| Director, Center for Social Responsibility, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia | |
| “It’s encouraging to know that our elected officials recognize the importance of SNAP to so many of their constituents. Ensuring that all people have the means to put nutritious food on the table is a cause that every person in the Philadelphia region should get behind.” |
| Carey Morgan |
| Executive Director, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger | |
| "SNAP is our nation’s first line of defense against hunger—we all need to work together to ensure the program can continue to help families who need it. While living on a food stamp budget for just a week cannot come close to the real struggles faced by low-income families, it does give participants a better understanding of the challenges facing many in our state.” |
