Washington Post
Pangs of Hunger -- and Bit of Guilt

By Lyndsey Layton
May 22, 2007

A pork chop and a bag of peanuts proved too tempting for Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), one of four members of Congress who has struggled for the past week to subsist on $21 worth of food -- the equivalent of benefits received by the average food stamp recipient.

Last Friday night, in New Hampshire to deliver a commencement speech, Ryan succumbed to a pork chop in the hotel restaurant because he feared he would otherwise be too weak to give the address.

Afterward, as he rushed to catch a flight back to Washington, airport security officials confiscated jars of peanut butter and jelly from his carry-on luggage, leaving him with nothing but a small bag of cornmeal to eat in the final days of the "Food Stamp Challenge," which ends today.

"It just showed me that when you're living on food stamps, you're really one event away from disaster," he said. "If you drop a jar of sauce or jam, you can lose an opportunity to eat. Some people are constantly living on that edge."

So yesterday, in the Cleveland airport on his way back to Washington from a funeral, Ryan bought a bag of peanuts. "I feel bad I couldn't do it the whole time, but I certainly got the point," said the lawmaker, who lost four pounds during the week and ended his test early, with dinner at a Washington restaurant last night.

He said he came away with two lessons: He made some poor choices when he shopped for the $21 worth of food, and the country's food stamp program is not sufficient for the 26 million Americans who rely on it.

Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), co-chairmen of the House Hunger Caucus, called on lawmakers to join them in taking the challenge to raise awareness of hunger and what they say are inadequate benefits for food stamp recipients. Only Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Ryan took them up on it.

"I've been a little low on energy, but I feel guilty about complaining about anything," said McGovern, who took the challenge with his wife; each lost about five pounds. "For us, this is an exercise that ends Tuesday. For millions of people, this is their life."

McGovern said he faced down many temptations at several receptions and fundraisers -- the duck rolls, the crab cakes, the red wine. "Every time I thought, 'I wish I could have that scallop wrapped in bacon,' at the back of mind I thought, 'Why are you complaining? This is the way people live every day,' " he said.

McGovern and Ryan kept blogs about their experiences and received hundreds of comments from people nationwide, including food stamp recipients who offered recipes and tricks to stretch meals.

"I was so deeply touched by the comments," said McGovern's wife, Lisa. "I was even struck by the angry remarks. One person was dismissive, but he gave a recipe for a biscuit. That was remarkable. . . . It showed me there are people out there who are struggling and it's neighbors and friends. You don't have to look to some faraway place to see it."

McGovern and Emerson have introduced legislation that would add $4 billion to the annual federal food stamp budget, which was $33 billion last year. The proposal could be incorporated into the new farm bill.

McGovern said yesterday that he had not given a lot of thought to what he will eat today as he returns to his more typical diet. "I want a cup of coffee -- or five," he said. "Just probably something that doesn't require a lot of preparation. And not lentils. I've had enough lentils for three years."

Comments

[sam]

this whole thing is a big stupid publicity stunt

NONE of them used coupons

ask any couponer and 3 bucks a day is MORE than enough to get by

[Shaunice Alston]

I applaud you all! As an Americorps member, Food Stamps is a commodity that we are offered (but may not get) for our 10.5 month service. Each and every day we serve in the District and see the disparity that reaches so many...including ourselves. Money is hard to come by, food even harder. When hunger strikes, and you don't know when, it could get pretty detrimental. I'm sure there were times when the hunger hit each of you and you felt the need to submitt to drastic measures. And that alone can open anyones eyes.

There is a founding story 'Moccassins' that we use at City Year and thanks to you all...you know first hand what it means...

..."don't judge a man or woman until you have walked a mile in his or her shoes."

It speaks volumes to the things our elected representatives seek to change, but have not experienced. So again...THANK YOU for walking in your constituents shoes and being role models and advocates for change!

[Nanine Bilski]

Dear Congressman McGovern,

Thank you so much for your dramatic demonstration of how hard it is to live on food stamps. I hope all the publicity you have received brings public attention to how much hunger there is in America.

America the Beautiful Fund has 10 Tons of vegetable seed packets that could be distributed to people with their food stamps so they could grow their own fresh, nutritious food which is so expensive to buy. Please contact me if you can help us do that.

God Bless You for your commitment to ending hunger in America.

Nanine Bilski
President
America the Beautiful Fund

[christy andrews]

good. now take it one step further. try living as a displaced homeless person.

[becky]

I just want to say that I thank you for taking part in this challenge. I have food stamps for my family of 5. If I mess up just once during the month then I am without food for a week as what is left I fix for my children. This happens during a month with a holiday or birthday in it. My dh does work however his money is spent on the bills. I would have liked to see more Congressmen take part in this challenge. Maybe you all should do it again as mandatory for all to take part in so that way everyone can "walk a day in my shoes".

[Audrey]

Nanine, where would you suggest that food stamp recipients plant those seeds? Many rent apartments and therefore do not have land to garden.

[Audrey]

Nanine, where would you suggest that food stamp recipients plant those seeds? Many rent apartments and therefore do not have land to garden.

[Zee]

Coupons can NOT make up the difference. I quit even looking at coupons since they were always for JUNK food, not real food.

[Scott]

Bravo, now maybe one of these fat-cats will actually try to do something about it.

[Cathy]

I think they should all have to do it. Now try no insurance or what you get from the state as in Illinois. Not that you do not get it but like where I live you have to drive at least 1/2 an hour or more to a doctor that accepts it. No doctors out of our local hospital treat kids even if you pay for the insurance through the state. I doubt that the state employee's have that problem. We need to stop being nice guys with the illegal aliens and start taking care of the people we have here.