By: Brad Cohen
Director of Education
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
This past week members of our congregation took on the food stamp challenge. In Maryland the average amount of money for food a person on SNAP benefits (food stamps)is $31.50 per week. I decided to join congregants and clergy in living one week on this budget to try and understand the experience people on SNAP benefits go through.
This past week members of our congregation took on the food stamp challenge. In Maryland the average amount of money for food a person on SNAP benefits (food stamps)is $31.50 per week. I decided to join congregants and clergy in living one week on this budget to try and understand the experience people on SNAP benefits go through.
Monday morning I had a business meeting at a breakfast place around the corner from the synagogue. I normally drink coffee, order a big breakfast with eggs, bread, potatoes, veggies, and more. As I started packing my lunch the night before I realized that I wouldn’t be able to eat breakfast at my meeting. It made me mad that I had to give up food at this meeting. I decided that I could afford coffee that morning.and I budgeted for it. At the restaurant unlimited coffee was $2.23, half of my budget for the day. I drank three cups hoping the caffeine jolt would get me through the day. At 2:30 I was hungry even though I ate breakfast and lunch so I ate my dinner (that was a mistake). By the time I got home I was grumpy, more tired then usual, and starving. It was a rough first day. I went to bed hungry and woke up in the morning to hear my stomach growl.
I am amazed by the conversations I have had over the past week about this challenge. Congregants, clergy, and colleagues have shared with me stories of their experiences taking on this challenge. At my meeting yesterday (with the three other Reform synagogues) we spent time talking about the food stamp challenge. I know that we can never fully understand how it feels to be on SNAP benefits (food stamps). This exercise can change the way we think, spend our money on food, and participate in Tikun Olam.
Where do I go from here? How do I take action? How do I help solve hunger issues in MD? How do I make sure the lessons I learned stay with me? What is my responsibility to others in the community?
Join us on Thursday, February 16 at our follow up session from 7:00-8:30pm to learn the answer to these questions.
1 comment:
Watch the film, Finding North and then you'll really understand more the root of hunger and how its sister obesity comes from the same family.
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