Trinity United Methodist Church
Lent 2013
“Good News to the Poor”
Are You Ready for the Food Stamp Challenge?
Extend a hand in friendship and express Christian love for the poor by doing the Food Stamp Challenge! Sponsored by the Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, the Food Stamp Challenge is an inter-faith effort to raise awareness about what life is like for Wisconsin’s Food Share recipients. Food Share is our state’s version of the federal program called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka SNAP, and formerly known as food stamps).
Join others at Trinity Church in doing the Food Stamp Challenge during Holy Week (Sunday, March 24th through Saturday, March 30th). During that week, spend only $29.07 for groceries (this is the amount most adults receive on Food Share). Avoid consuming food already in your pantry (except condiments and spices) and decline offers from friends to take you out to eat that week.
Food Stamp Challenge Information is available in the Narthex
If you want to participate, please fill out a pledge form and return in the offering plate or place on the Administrative Assistant’s desk in the church office. Take a FSC Shopping Cart from the basket and pin it to the board in the upstairs hallway so we can see how many Trinity-ites are taking the challenge! Pledge forms, recipes, ideas for shopping lists and other information on the food stamp challenge are available on the table in the narthex.
A Few Facts about Food Share
Eligibility for Food Share is based solely on income alone. The income threshold for a single person is $1,862 per month (gross). People receiving unemployment can receive Food Share. Forty percent of Food Share recipients are employed. Every $5 of Food Share benefits generates $9 of economic benefit in the community because people are patronizing local food stores, farmers’ markets, etc. Yet one out of four eligible state residents do not apply for Food Share. As long as you fall within the eligibility guidelines, you can stay on Food Share as long as you need it (on average people use it for nine months).
Visit: wisconsinfaithvoicesforjustice.org for info. and updates.
