I first thought about naming this post: “Over, but not forgotten.”

It’s true for me, fortunately.  I went grocery shopping this weekend with an expanded budget, and didn’t forget my family’s experience living on $4.50 per person per day last week.  I began to understand the difficult choices SNAP recipients make at the grocery store.  I say “began to understand” because right now, I don’t live with ongoing anxiety accompanying food insecurity.

There are ways to make healthy, nutritious choices using SNAP benefits.  The choices are hard when you have to purchase something SNAP benefits don’t cover, like diapers.  They’re hard when you work two low-wage jobs and don’t have the time or physical energy to hit three grocery stores to maximize your benefits, or prepare home-cooked meals from scratch.

“Over but not forgotten” wouldn’t have worked on any level because the food stamp challenge isn’t over for millions of people.  Not by a long shot.

Things didn’t just slow down in 2007 – they broke down.  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, specifically designed to help people at risk of hunger get through tough economic times, caught 3.6 million Texans and more than 40 million Americans.  Now, the program itself is at risk.

Our country’s premier nutrition safety net must be protected and not forgotten.

On the other hand, we should forget some things, like Newt Gingrich’s ludicrous statement about a political party of food stamps.  He clearly doesn’t understand SNAP’s economic multiplier effect – every $5 of SNAP benefits spent generates more than $9 for the economy and can figure into those paychecks!  Cynicism is a term that doesn’t apply to SNAP.

These terms do:

Anxiety. Choices. Difficult.Security. Decisions. Dignity.

By David Heiges

When my wife asked if I was interested in taking the Food Stamps Challenge I thought, “How hard can it be?”  Surely we can live on $60 for five days.  I might get hungry, but I could stand to lose a few pounds.  It will just take some creative menu planning.  When we came up with our shopping list I realized that this was going to be more challenging than I thought.  I love Italian food.  It’s relatively inexpensive.  Anything covered in melted cheese is fine with me.  But cheese is expensive and doesn’t have the nutritional benefits of fruit and vegetables.  And, I have a four year old son.

Wendy and I decided that we wouldn’t restrict our son’s diet.  He’s four so he doesn’t need a lot of food – but he does need healthy food.  His diet didn’t change much:  Organic yogurt and milk, cereal, almond butter and jam sandwiches, apples, plums, orange juice and multigrain Cheez-Its.  We could have saved about five dollars if we had purchased cheaper bread, peanut butter and milk, but that was non-negotiable.  Wendy and I bought pasta, marinara sauce, cereal, English muffins, cream cheese, fixings for a lasagna, eggs, beans, rice and garlic.  No spices. No salt. No pepper.  No salsa.

We ran out of milk and yogurt on Wednesday.  I drank water for breakfast so my son would have orange juice all week.  We ran out of OJ this morning.  We used the last two slices of bread for his lunch today.  Almond butter – gone.  Plums and apples – gone.  We have eggs, spaghetti and some rice and beans left.  We made it by the skin of our teeth.

But here’s the catch: I had an unusually gratuitous week at work food-wise.  Monday I had lunch with a colleague; Wednesday a client brought us breakfast; and Thursday and Friday my employer bought me lunch.  That’s four meals I would have eaten, and we would be down to eggs.  I hate eggs.  Even when they’re covered in cheese.

In my life, I’ve worried about a car breaking down, my American Express bill, having to replace the refrigerator unexpectedly.  But I have never had to worry about food.  I’ve always bought what I want, when I want, and as much I want at the grocery store.

The Food Stamps Challenge was enlightening.  I now understand the terms “food insecurity” and even more, “bread-winner”, a term thrown around casually by many people, but for more than 40 million people, that term has an entirely different significance.  They worry about buying the bread.  It isn’t a game.

On Wednesday, I started to worry about running out of food.  Would my son have enough to eat on Friday?  I realized that if I lived like this for an extended period of time it could change who I am.

After five days of living on a small fixed budget, here’s what I learned:

• If you’re worrying about food, you’re probably worrying about a lot of other things – rent, daycare, credit card bills, utilities, putting gas in the car.
• I take food for granted.  I waste food.  I appreciate its taste and nutritional value, but have not viewed food as a true resource.
• “Honey, let’s just go out for dinner” is not an option.  Neither are olives, snacks, Diet Coke, Starbucks or ice cream.
• Condiments are a luxury.
• Participating in a potluck at work, buying a gift for my niece, or having a holiday meal would cause great anxiety.
• Quantity versus quality is an extremely difficult determination.
• The confines of the budget didn’t allow for smart shopping.  A dollar or two more could have purchased a larger quantity of an item that would last longer but would have required taking something critical out of the cart.
• $62 = 2 square feet in the refrigerator.

I am so fortunate.

A recent Washington Post article said it best: “The poorer you are, the more things cost. More in money, time, hassle, exhaustion and menace.”   CAFB President & CEO, David Davenport, also experienced this phenomenon in week three of his food stamp challenge, eating on a dollar-a-meal budget.  When you’re trying to lift yourself out of poverty, those hours spent finding affordable, healthy food can also mean time spent working. 

Here are 5 reasons it’s expensive to be hungry:

1. If there’s no reliable public transportation in the area, the cost of getting a taxi or paying for other transportation to get emergency food assistance can add up.
2. It takes time to re-apply for food stamps if your SNAP application was mistakenly lost or if it was denied.
3. It takes time to find the cheapest deals on nutritious food, especially when there are only convenience stores within walking or biking distance and you must travel to get healthy food.
4. It cost more to find affordable, nutritious, hot meals when you don’t have access to a stove or microwave (cooking at home saves money.)
5. There is an emotional cost to using a LoneStar card, and thinking fellow shoppers are judging every purchase you make.

What would you add to this list? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.

David Davenport, President & CEO – The digital clock flashed from 2:05 a.m. to 2:06 a.m. – well past this blogger’s bed time. Since the little hamster won’t stop turning the wheels in my head, I’ll recap my day and share some thoughts I’ve finally been able to express.

Earlier Wednesday evening, I drove up to Dallas with two missions in mind. First, a scheduled doctor’s visit, and second, to meet with the Texas Food Bank Network. As the TFBN Finance Committee Chair, I lead the regular summer meetings on Friday mornings. Ok, not quite as exciting as a trip to Six Flags, but my doctors are good people, and it’s always good to see my TFBN friends.

I enjoy picking new spots to take a short break each time I go to Dallas. At this particular rest stop, there were no strange or interesting characters to chat with, so I entertained myself with a sun-weathered Houston Chronicle I found in my back seat.

Dr. Norman Borlaug

The Houston Chronicle, has a special interview section called “Sunday Conversation”. The featured guest was Norman Borlaug, one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.

From the introduction:

Norman Borlaug won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in developing more productive strains of wheat and working to ensure their adoption around the world. During a recent phone interview with science writer Eric Berger, the 94-year-old distinguished professor at Texas A&M University said there are no simple solutions to the current crunch in food prices.

What the author failed to mention is that, in addition to winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Borlaug was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. He’s known as the “Father of the Green Revolution” and, back in 1970, his work was credited with saving a billion lives from starvation.

Yes, that’s billion with a “b” – It is not a typo.

While I encourage you to read through the interview with Dr. Borlaug, I wanted to make sure you saw this important exchange:

Q: Are you surprised at the price increases in wheat, corn, rice and other basic foodstuffs, some of which have tripled in just a few years?
A: I’m not surprised. The energy problem and the food problem are tangled up together. Many of the things that go into our food production system, like fuel for tractors and machines, and for fertilizer, have energy costs. Then there’s the transport system for delivering goods. In addition, there may be speculation also. It’s hard to isolate all of these factors. One change in government policy won’t rectify all of these interacting complications.

In a recent interview with FOX 7, I highlighted the challenges Central Texans face, and how it affects our organization. It’s what I call the “New Normal.” – no more $1.50 a gallon for fuel, and the inevitability of increasing food prices.

Although many of us are hurting financially, we can not forget what these challenges are doing to the soul and foundation of Texas – the working poor. While as Texans, we enjoy boasting about our grandness, and unique way of life; often, it’s the working poor that quietly, and unseen, supports that possibility.

We are all in this together.

But what does that really mean in practice? Some of our Partner Agencies are struggling with 20-30% increases in people served each month. To support these agencies, CAFB is reorganizing and reprioritizing business practices to ensure the flow of food isn’t interrupted or slowed. We’re also impressing upon the community that in good times and bad, hunger is simply unacceptable.

Let me say it again. Hunger is unacceptable.

Why such a bold statement? Because this problem requires urgent action. Take a moment to think about societal norms that we deem as unacceptable – slavery, drunk driving, child abuse, to name a few. Hunger, the inability to access food in socially acceptable ways to survive and thrive, should absolutely be in that category.

My Food Stamp Challenge this past month taught me a great deal about hunger. I now challenge you to say out loud “Hunger is unacceptable” and act on it. For some ideas on what you can do, just give us a call, or visit the “how to help” section on our website.

David Davenport, President & CEO – Unlike the recent New Yorker cover, sometimes there’s truth in humor.

Mike Smith - Las Vegas Sun - July 11, 2008

I stepped on the scale on Monday, and my heart sank. My weight dropped below the lower weight limit set by my doctors. Despite my fevered addiction to peanut butter and Ritz Crackers, I could not keep the weight I needed to continue the Food Stamp Challenge. Unfortunately, I must stop the Challenge. With a total weight loss of 18 pounds, four pounds beyond what my doctors allowed, I know I’m in for some serious discussion at my next doctor’s visit.

Trust me when I say there will be little celebration this evening. I am not happy about this decision; especially since I was a mere four days short of making the entire month.

So how do I feel now? Frankly, a little ashamed. For the past month, I was motivated by the extraordinary strength and courage of the families I met living with food-insecurity. I was inspired by stories of success and struggle from my colleges at Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Meals on Wheels and More as I traveled with them the first week of the challenge. I was uplifted by the many emails, blog comments, and phone calls from friends and concerned community members. I had the council of medical experts at my fingertips. How many food-insecure people have access to this kind of support? But amidst all of this passion and support, I couldn’t finish the job.

To those who have supported me through this endeavor, thank you. Your kind words delivered me this far, and I appreciate every one of them.

Please stay tuned for more. I have much more to say.

David Davenport, President & CEO – I’m halfway down the road on Week 2 of the Challenge. To complicate matters, I am resting at home after yesterday’s minor surgical procedure in Dallas. The doctors weren’t too keen on my Ritz cracker and peanut butter diet, so I was told to eat something substantial and healthy before my procedure. I compromised with a salad, throwing me off budget. My doctors, concerned and cautious, are following me closely during this month-long endeavor.

In my last entry, I mentioned some health issues that made shopping a bit of a challenge. In April 2007, I had a bi-lateral lung transplant. My lungs were failing for a long time, and the transplant was my last chance. Even with an employer health care package, I still spend a great deal on medications, tests and clinic visits.

As I take this Challenge, I’m reminded daily of those struggling to get by on Food Stamps (soon to be renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) without heath coverage. Unlike too many Americans without adequate access to health care, I had amazing care in Dallas prior to my procedure. There’s a department of medical experts at my disposal to answer questions and help me with my aftercare. Yesterday’s team of doctors checked and doubled checked on me and made sure I was well cared for. In the state of Texas, where 27 percent of working adults don’t have health insurance, I feel blessed to be able to receive such care.

So, how difficult has it been to eat well enough to ensure that my medications work and maintain my on-going treatment? Well… nearly impossible. I take steroids as part of my medical routine and one of the long-tem side effects is diabetes. I use additional medicines and diet to control my blood sugar. This challenge is increasingly a fine balance between nutritional quality and calorie density. As I shopped last week, I noticed how much more expensive foods that are not filled with processed flours and sugars are. Nutritional foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are not always the most calorie-dense. And when you’re on a $21 a week budget, calories count. A recent study done by the University of Washington further explains this issue and how it’s affecting consumer choice, and ultimately, consumer health.

This 14 minute video was created last year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Food Stamp Program, and gives a nice history and introduction to the program. Decide for yourself if the intent and purpose of the Food Stamp Program has kept up with contemporary economic conditions.

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4227072942568227672]

My research and medical issues leads me to linger in the grocery store even longer, as I poured over the nutrition labels and kept calculation to ensure I stay on budget. It’s not the most exciting way to spend an evening, but critical to supporting the “active healthy lifestyle” needed for food security. After last week’s excitement and motivation for the Challenge, my mood has changed to frustration and, unfortunately, constant hunger.

I look at my pantry, and try to look on the bright side. At least I haven’t lost my taste for low-carb low-sodium crackers and peanut butter. I just have to make it through lunch.

I know I can.

P.S. Thank you, to those who have taken the time to comment online and offline. Your support means a lot to me. Please pass this on.

David Davenport, President & CEO – I’m six days into my Food Stamp Challenge, and I realized that I haven’t shared the basics with you.

First of all, for those not familiar with the Challenge – here are the rules I’m following:

• I can only spend $21 a week on food and beverages for 30 days.
• I will not eat food I already own.
• I will not accept food from family, friends, coworkers and others. Not even the free samples from Costco.
• I will keep track of my expenses and share my experience with you, including when I fall off the wagon.

To get started with the Challenge, I gathered all the food in my little place, boxed it and taped it shut. It’s deep in my closet, away from casual glances, and too difficult to access for late-night temptations. (Dear wife: There are no perishables in that box, so you don’t have to worry about bugs or other multi-legged guests). This was actually pretty simple for two reasons. First my family is still in Houston and will not be moving to Austin until later in the summer. And second, I have found that my personal grocery shopping process had not evolved much since college. Although the quality of the food is better, I am not a complicated shopper.

On Sunday, I spent $17.21 at the grocery store. I left a little room in the event my calculations were off. I used most of my remaining budget to buy water on the way home from Waco on Wednesday. It seemed like a bad call at the time, but I was REALLY thirsty.

So it’s Friday and I’m doing ok. What have I learned so far?

• It is almost impossible to eat a healthy diet on $21 a week. I have some medical challenges which make it absolutely necessary that I eat a low-sodium, low-carbohydrate, and somewhat balanced diet, or the medications I take will not work appropriately.
• Food stamps, as the program was designed by the government, are not supposed to be the sole source of a food budget. But for folks like me, who do have high medical prescription costs, food stamps can be, and often are, the entire food budget. I’m learning that balancing nutrition and medicine is a tough task.
• I am more aware of the power of food advertising. Although I don’t usually eat fast food or junk food, I can’t drive home from work without the enticing neon glow from fast food restaurants reminding me of their low-priced goodness. Now, I constantly crave a hamburger or a slice of pizza. I find myself observing people at the grocery store spending a great deal of money on food or people walking in and out of a restaurant. Not in a stalker, green-eyed-monster kinda way, but I’m much more aware of this activity.
• Two weeks ago, I was amazed at how little I could get at the grocery store for my typical food budget. Even with conscious shopping for this challenge, my $17.21 shopping trip yielded one bag of food; not quite half-full (or, for the pessimists out there, half-empty).

Alright, here’s my confession. I broke the rules, but for good reason. Honest.

During my recent trip to Waco on Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet the folks at the Gospel Cafe, a small agency in Waco doing amazing work. Founder, (and passionate force of nature) Sherry Castello, opened the kitchen back in 1996 as a unique and special ministry to those in need. If you are ever in Waco, I highly recommend a visit to this special place. Everyone who walks through their door is valued. They’ll be glad to welcome you and feed your body and spirit.

Ok, so back to my confession. Sherry would not stop asking me what I wanted to eat. She was both caring and relentless at the same time. I confess, she wore me down. But accepting the meal also gave me the chance to sit and visit with some of her guests as we ate together. What a wonderful place! – THANK YOU, SHERRY, and a special thanks to your team for all your hard work on behalf of those in need.

Last night, I broke the rules again. This time, my accomplice was Alan Graham from Mobile Loaves & Fishes in Austin. Alan took me along on a truck run around town to help distribute food to our homeless neighbors. The four hours I spent with Alan in that little white truck, sharing stories, distributing food, and talking to clients was life-changing. Because this meal was more about breaking bread with Alan, and those who benefit from Mobile Loaves and Fishes, it was a special moment I felt I needed to experience. THANK YOU, ALAN. It was a special ride.

I cannot mention my friend Alan without giving equal time to one of my other new friends here in town, Dan Pruett at Meals on Wheels and More. Dan and Alan both share the unique ability to communicate their passion for making our community a better place. Today, I rode with Dan to deliver meals to a handful of their East Austin senior clients. It was very clear that we were really delivering love, respect and dignity. Meals on Wheels and More does more than deliver food. I cannot tell you how powerful and deeply personal it is to take part in delivering such a gift. THANK YOU, DAN. I won’t soon forget our visits.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jh7wRlslKa4]

What a week! The kids are coming up from Houston for the weekend and I cannot wait to see them. I know these posts are long, but I can’t help but express how much I owe to all those who I’ve spent time with this week. In the end, I know it will help me become a better person, better father, and a better professional.

I will be back soon to give you another update. ‘Till then, I encourage you to give my friends Dan, Alan and Sherry a call or send them an email. Thank them for being who they are and for the incredibly important work they do to make Central Texas a special place for all.

Then sign on to volunteer. You’ll be glad you did.

David Davenport, President & CEO – I have had the opportunity to meet many amazing people across Central Texas since arriving at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) in March. If I have not had the opportunity to visit with you in person, then I am hopeful for that chance in the near future. That said, I will warn you up front – I like to jump right to big issues, complicated challenges and even more complicated solutions. I am not shy about discussing the changing face of hunger in our community, the impact of the rise of energy and food prices and what our Partner Agencies and their clients are experiencing across our 21-county service area. I believe that when it comes to ending the physical and emotional pain of hunger that nothing is impossible; nor should we as members of a community accept that hunger is either inevitable or unsolvable.

That is why I love the gift of history. Over and over again, history teaches us that solutions to great challenges are born from simple acts of humanity that became inspirational acts of courage.

While watching the presumptive major party nominees for president on CNN the other day, I contemplated the often-discussed historical significance of this year’s election. Putting politics aside, I have to admit that I am amazed that one of the candidates owes the opportunity to bring his talents to bear in this campaign to a lady who refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. I recently read the book On the Bus with Rosa Parks by Rita Dove, and among the many items the author shared was a quote by Rosa Parks that I will never forget:

“I did not get on the bus to get arrested; I got on the bus to go home.” And, as they say, the rest was history.

I wrote in my first post that I was seeking to share the experience that many families, children and seniors in our community struggle with right now. For far too many the increases in food, fuel and other costs have forced them to seek emergency assistance for the first time. This trend is likely to continue through the summer and into the foreseeable future. I also wanted the opportunity to engage those for whom the challenges of life have just overwhelmed them and now call the streets of our community home. I will share more about these experiences in a later post.

Just to clarify, it is not my intention to compare any action of mine to that amazing act of courage by Rosa Parks. Her act of defiance changed our nation. The lesson I take from Rosa Parks’ comment is that great change can come from something as simple as getting on a bus to go home, and that all of us are challenged to do exactly that.

For me, my journey (or bus ride home) began Sunday. To mark the beginning of my second hundred days at CAFB, I have decided to undertake a month long challenge to live on a food budget consistent with the average benefit awarded to a food stamp recipient (three dollars per day). I have much to share already and will do so in later posts. I do wish to add at this point that I acknowledge that many of you are aware of the “Food Stamp Challenge” and other similar activities. Please know that I am not seeking others to participate with me, nor do I seek attention beyond this journal. This is a personal journey and one I hope will inspire and educate me as I continue the important work I do every day. There is much more behind this challenge. I know that the month ahead will be difficult in many ways and for many reasons. I will share more about this as I log my experiences over the next thirty days. I hope you will follow along, join in on the conversation and offer your thoughts.

A few weeks ago, I shared my intention for this challenge with a few members of our staff here at CAFB. You should have seen the looks on their faces. I guess it isn’t easy to tell the boss that he’s crazy, but in a very thoughtful, caring and imaginative way – they did just that. I appreciate their concern. I also wish I had a camera with me because, as the commercial says, that moment was priceless.

Well, here’s to the crazy ones and here’s to those who, through an act as simple as riding the bus home teach themselves and the rest of us that nothing, even a challenge as large and complicated as ending hunger in our community, is impossible.