Are you up for the challenge? Do the math!

This week my mom has been participating in a challenge to bring awareness to our community about living in Durham Region and receiving support from the local food bank. Over 30 people picked up their standard food hamper from Feed The Need in Durham and will be documenting their experiences through a variety of social media outlets.

I thought I would share a few of her observations with you, as I thought that they were profound.

Most of us have supported the local food banks by giving items during food drives, but how often do we really think about what we are giving? The nutritional value that is derived from the items and how difficult it can be to make nutritious meals from them.

From reading about my mom's experience this is what I have learned so far. A standard food hamper that can support a single person typically includes the following items:

2 packages of pasta, 2 cans of pasta sauce, 2 pkg KD, 1 can tuna, 1 can salmon, 3 can of veggies, 2 canned pasta, 1 jar Peanut Butter, 2 cans of soup, 1 box of cup of soup, box of crackers (that was her extra), box of cereal, pkg of powdered milk, 1 can of peaches, 4 small apples, 4 small potatoes , 2 onions and a loaf of bread.

This is suppose to last 13 meals. However, for many people who rely on the help and support of Food Banks, they may have to make these items last even longer.

If a single person on welfare collects $578.00 per month, and the average rent for a room is $400. 00, that only leaves $178 for the rest of the month. Fresh fruit, vegetables and meat are likely not an option, and very few food banks are able to provide these items to the men, women, and families who access the food banks.

After reading some of the blogs from the participants of the challenge (including my moms) I couldn't help but notice that there were several common themes: lack of energy, inability to focus on tasks, feeling hungry, headaches, hungry, hungry, hungry, missing fruit and vegetables and having choice. Chosing to eat what they want, when they want and having a healthy budget to be able to purchase those items.

I encourage you to check out Feed the Need Durham and read up on some of the participants experience with the challenge, and if you have the time complete the Do the math challenge. The quiz only takes 6 minutes to complete and it will show you how dramatically your situation would change if you had to rely on social assistance. Would you still be able to live a healthy lifestyle?