September is Hunger Action Month. As part of our corporate cause, National Life has been suggesting that some of us take the “3Squares Challenge” to see if we can make do on the equivalent of the average amount of federal food assistance. Here’s one story on taking the challenge.
By Beth Rusnock
I learned about the 3Squares Challenge through our work with helping to end childhood hunger. It certainly seemed, well, challenging, trying to feed myself spending only $37 a week, $5.22 a day or $1.74 a meal. But I was up for it. I wanted to learn what it was like since, for many of our neighbors, this is their reality.
I decided to take the daily challenge and limit myself to $5.22 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I found myself planning my menu for days, trying to creatively come up with affordable food that wouldn’t leave me feeling hungry.
I finally found myself at the local dollar store since food there was least expensive, scanning the shelves for what seemed like an hour. I did the math in my head over and over, trying to make it work. Eventually, I walked away with a cheddar broccoli pasta mix and a can of tuna for lunch, and a can of soup and a can of green beans for dinner. The one thing I did get at the grocery store was a greek yogurt for breakfast. All in, my breakfast, lunch and dinner cost $4.99.
Impressed I was able to stay within budget, I then realized that this didn’t include coffee. At all. Nor did it include the milk and butter I needed to make the pasta. And this menu didn’t include any snacks, something I eat throughout the day.
I failed the challenge.
Could you do it? Finding nutritious food that keeps you feeling full is close to impossible with this budget. But some people have to work with this amount of money to get through a day, often due to situations beyond their control.
Try it and let us know how you make out.