SNAP Challenge 2016

I figured I’d save our final accounting for last, since I am behind on getting our last few posts up. This includes all of the groceries purchased through day 30. I will post my reflections on the experience in a separate post.

2 boxes strawberries 3.96 20 oz diet pepsi 1.68 watermelon 3.98 6 cans corn 2.88 1 gallon 2% milk 2.52 4 cans chick peas 2.88 mucho mango drink 2.78 2 cans whiskey brown sugar baked beans 3.54 2 large cans GV tomato soup 3.68 frozen tater tots 4.48 2 12-packs ice cream sandwiches 6 4 pkgs cinnamon rolls 6.48 4 1-lb pgs gv frozen vegetables 3.92 1 pint rasberry ice cream 2.48 3 lbs yellow onions 2.94 5 lbs shredded cheese 13.97 2 iceberg lettuce 3.96 2 jars pasta sauce 3.54 frozen spinach dip 5.5 2 bags tortilla chips 5.96 1 bottle ranch dressing 0.98 1 bottle french dressing 0.98 6 pk chocolate bars 2.5 2 dannon plain nonfat yogurt 5.56 4  pkg GV sour cream and chive scalloped potatoes 3.76 3 french bread 3 2 wheat bread 3.96 candy 2.38 5 pgs knorr cheddar broccoli noodles 5 4 pkgs GV pasta 4 bananas 1.55 cabbage 2.93 2 lbs margarine 1.96 3 1-liter diet pepsi 5.69 3 dozen eggs 2.83 morningstar crumbles 4.98 Total spent: 139.19

Means- Family of 9: Day 30

Breakfast: Cold cereal with milk, eggs, or hot cereal.

Lunch: Egg or cheese sandwich with banana or watermelon. Choice of anything in the snack cabinet.

Means- Family of 9: Day 29

Breakfast: Cold cereal with milk, eggs, or hot cereal.

Lunch: Egg or cheese sandwich with banana or watermelon. Choice of anything in the snack cabinet.

Means- Family of 9: Day 28

Today I felt like cooking  and had time to do it, so lunch and dinner were family favorites!

Breakfast: Cold cereal with milk, or hot cereal.

Lunch: French bread with Cabbage Yummy Casserole: bottom layer is pasta or rice (today I used bow tie noodles). Next layer is cabbage sauteed with just a little margarine, then onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh basil from my garden. Sprinkle a package of morningstar vegetarian crumbles over that and coat with a can of tomato soup. Top with cheese and bake about 20 minutes at 375.

Means- Family of 9: Day 27

Breakfast: Cold cereal with milk, or hot cereal.

Lunch: Cheese sandwich or quesadilla, bananas, and anything out of the snack cabinet.

Means- Family of 9: Day 26

Breakfast: Cold cereal with milk, or eggs.

Lunch: Eggs or cheese sandwich, bananas, and anything out of the snack cabinet.

And now, the end is near; ( Songwriters: DUPRI, JERMAINE/SEAL, MANUEL LONNIE/RAYMOND, USHER) And so I face the final curtain. My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I'm certain. I've lived a life that's full. I've traveled each and some highways; And more, much more than this, I did it His way.

Regrets, I've had a few; But then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course; Each careful step along the byway, And more, much more than this, I did it His way. Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all and I stood tall; And did it His way. I've loved, I've laughed and cried. I've had my fill; my share of losing. And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing. To think I did all that; and may I say - not in a shy way, OH MY I did it His Way! :)

lyrics provided by LyricsFreak.com.

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Breakfast: (I see a pattern) Water and Meds.

Lunch with Grandkids and family: Angel Provided. Two pieces of pizza, salad and water.

Supper: What else??? HOT DOGS!!! baked potato and perhaps some pork ‘n beans or squash. The Last Supper of SNAP Challenge 2016. Kind of sad, really. I almost felt as if someone were seated at my table sharing my meals, chit chatting over silly memories, wild kittens, and the yummy food we were consuming. No, seriously. All joking aside. I have not made this Last Supper yet, as I am supposed to be writing a paper for Faith in Leadership class. My paper? It is on hunger in America, with statistics to show just how many people in America are living without enough food in their lives. 

“SNAP usage and expenditures have grown rapidly since 2009 to meet this increased demand. In 2013 more than 47 million individuals, approximately one in six people in the United States, received SNAP benefits, reflecting ongoing economic hardship (Food Research and Action Center, n.d.). Moreover, a deeper crisis of food insecurity is suggested by low participation rates in SNAP—only 79 percent of those eligible received benefits in 2011 (the latest date for which data are available; note also that only 39 percent of elderly and 42 percent of eligible individuals with incomes above the poverty level participated;”( Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support, 2014) (Libal, K. et. al. 2014. Hunger in a 'land of plenty')

No candy bars, no cheese crackers, no anything will ever bring back memories like this SNAP Challenge did. I’m not really hungry, but I will eat some time. 

I want to thank those of you who took the time to read all of our posts, thanks to Tracy Call-Keagle and Georgia Masterson for conducting this social experiment, for the families that participated and for those who cared. Anyone who read the blurbs that were written; all or parts of them. 

The biggest changes that any of us can make are with our own intentions, putting one foot in front of the other to help support those who are in need. We all will be in need at one time or another. Hugs help a lot. I got two of the sweetest hugs in the universe today from my living grandchildren. What I would not give to get a hug from Weston, in Heaven with Jesus and my folks. I really could use them right now. I really could use an “I love you, Mom” right now. What in the heck does this have to do with the SNAP Challenge????  A lot. We eat to live, not live to eat. Took me years to figure that one out. No one told me the obvious. Just like no one tells you that your children grow up and lead their own lives like they never needed you for anything. The scraped knee, the sick child, the happy, healthy rambunctious child who jumps on the couch, the adorable dark haired princess showing you how to do the “dab” or singing “Whip! Do the nay nay!” are ALL the treasures we hold in our hearts forever. We gather, or should, gather around a table with bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans, fried chicken and mounds of homemade rolls as you listen to the sound of voices so loved. The clinking of forks on real plates, giggles and laughs bring back many wonderful memories when food was plentiful and shared with family and friends. People will never remember unwrapping a small, squished burger from McDonald’s at 9 p.m. on a school night. Or, at least mine won’t remember those burgers that were cheap and hot after a long day at school followed by two hours of football practice where the stench from the uniforms could over power any semblance of a good hamburger. These “things” filled small tummies for much less money than they would be, made from scratch. Not the best food, but it was food. Sleeping children were awakened to walk to the house to rest before they started the process all over again the next day. Memories of food can be precious if the chance to serve them healthy meals is available to their parents. Many more people are in need of help than take it. 

A very special thank you to Tracy Call-Keagle and her crew who helped provide awesome produce each week for FREE!  Well, it is time to go. Hot dogs are in the fridge, squash, onions, tomatoes as well. I survived....with a lot of help from some mighty awesome angels. Thanks Angels. God bless you good! 

Revelation 7:15-17

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. 

Well, we have almost made it. Thank you to the ones still going, thank you to those brave souls who took on the Humanity House Challenge 2016. I can’t say it’s been real fun, but I can say it has been REAL!!!  I started the month wondering how I was going to make $50 worth of food, last me ALL month. Thankfully, for all those who chose to bless me with goodies and food, I would be foodless by now. This challenge really embodied the true meaning of do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. Thank you, Angels, all of you!!!  I don’t have a lot of money, and I worry about the month of August food. As my budget of $0.00 is so pathetic. I am working one job, waiting for another job to begin again, all while waiting to see if I get a rather lucrative business deal to come down the pike, and place itself right in my lap.... Let the feasting begin!!!!

As for July 30th, 2016 I had for breakfast: glass of water and meds! From then on, it was all a blurr!!! About one p.m.,, an angel bought me what felt like my final meal of forever!!!  I don’t know why...God has always sent provisions my way!!! I thank you all for your thoughtfulness and encouragement.  Please remember, this is not just a Game to me. It is a way of life. I’m not laughing with joy while doing it. I TRY to deal with it with Joy!!! Somedays were harder than others. I survived! I should have weighed myself to measure any weight loss. I know I have lost a “few pounds” by the way my clothing fits.My daughters dream job was nutrition.I hope she someday gets to her goal.

Lunch: a big meal!!! It made me sooo sleepy! Provided by an angel today! BBQ’d ranch chicken sandwich with Suzy Q’s. It filled my belly until sleepiness almost took over. Sewing and sleeping do. not. mix! :)  However, it did make for a tummy full of yummy when battling with the male mannequin who was stunning looking in and out of his jumpsuit. :) Why do “men” always have to be SO difficult??? LOL LOL LOL had the right people been there, we would still be rolling around on the floor laughing our heads off. Outsmarted by a dummy! A REAL DUMMY!!! :D

Supper: Cheese nip type crackers. Someone gave me a candybar today, was going to eat it as dessert, but in all my adventures, I do not remember where I put it! :P Hilarious!!! Save it for tomorrow, I guess!!! Thank God I’m fluffy, and thank God for sending angels with food to keep me nourished and healthy! So I could do this with good food and not rely on hot dogs for 31 days! Learn to eat for nourishment, not because you love to eat, but because you really have to take notes and remember what it is that makes up a healthy diet. I want to thank each person who gave to the M.L. food for the month club!!! Love to you and you...and yes YOU, way back there. Thanks for reading my blog. I have enjoyed the steady stream of suppliers that God has sent my way!!! As I often say, “it takes a village to feed a para-educator.”  See? God  even loves para-educators. Shameless plug. As my wild and crazy adventure as the Working Poor of Kansas continues...I have started my own “blog”. https://wordpress.com/post/loveleighmesite.wordpress.com/  I can’t call it a food blog, because there may not BE any food. No matter what, I have brain food, and that will keep me going. I gorge myself on educational information a lot. I even gorge myself on pictures, too. Some of those educational information can be a bit on the tough and chewy side, but it keeps me going. Keeps my battery charged. I am not poor, I am rich in Jesus!                                                                                                                       

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)

Means- Family of 9: Day 24 and 25

Day 24 

Today was a “fend for yourself” day at home for 6 of the kids. I think they ate quesadillas, eggs, bananas, and/or frozen burritos, and whatever they could scrub up out of the snack cabinet. The other two kids and I went to Warped Tour. I brought a box of 24 granola bars and 2 bottled waters (which we were able to refill there) so we’d have things to eat and drink while we were there. What gets really expensive is snacks and drinks at the convenience store on the way there and on the way home- around $22 spent on that. Eating out at convenience stores adds up quickly :( (I’ll reckon the amount spent there on the next budget update).

Day 25:

Breakfast: Cold cereal with milk, or hot cereal.

Lunch: Eggs or cheese sandwich, bananas, and anything out of the snack cabinet.

Catching up on the budget; we made 3 trips to the store this past week and I’m finally getting the receipts typed in!

2 loaves GV wheat bread 2.96 powdered sugar 1.74 2  boxes white cake mix 2.16 2 pkgs totinos frozen pizza 2.72 GV frozen blueberries 2.98 2 liter rootbeer 1 2 lemons 1.16 GV cream cheese 2 pack 3.57 frozen burritos 4.72 10 lb potatoes 4.94 5 lb GV shredded cheese 13.97 bananas 1.24 2 boxes GV toasted oats  3.34 2 lbs margarine 1.94 2 gallons 2% milk 5.04 2 cans chick peas 1.44 5 pkgs knorr rice 5 20 oz diet pepsi 1.68 2 pkgs instant mashed potatoes 3.64 pint salted caramel ice cream 1.97 dannon yogurt 2.78 GV 4 pack biscuits 1.97 20 oz diet pepsi 1.68 strawberries 1.98 4 boxes pasta 4 2 jars pasta sauce 3.54 2 cans spaghetti sauce 1.96 french bread 1

Breakfast: Water, meds. Got my important meds. $22. Thank the good Lord, they do not cost more.

Lunch: 3 out of the  6 cheese & crackers package. Save half for tomorrow. Three chocolate chip Angel cookies. Boy were they good. I am so blessed to have people who care about me and mine.

5 p.m. handful of cheese nips.

Supper: Home late from Grandchildren’s. Love them so much! SOOO smart. They are 4 & 1/2 and they are watching “How It’s Made” and other science shows. Do believe we have two genius’ in the making. Don’t worry about food when I am with them. Their grandpa bought ice cream sandwiches and those cones with the nuts on top. The ones that have the biggest crunch and chocolate in the very last bite. My grandson wanted my little “tail”. I love that last bite a LOT, but I love my grandson a million times “a lot”. I was happy to share the best bite with him. I love those little people so much. Miss them badly between visits. 

On the way home from Iola, I stopped to use my last portion of my Angel A & W gift card. Two pieces of chicken, fries and a drink. Got it to go, as I have homework to do when I get this posted. YaY, HomeWork. :(  just kidding.

As I headed home, I was seeing horse trailers, lights down at the fairgrounds. It hurts to think of all the other kids who grew up getting cotton candy, funnel cakes, curly fries, food at the rodeo... When I was growing up, I didn’t get all of the special fair foods I wanted. I SO wanted to make sure my own kids got the treats at the fair. Most of the time we were digging in the car cushions to get change to buy anything. I cannot remember exactly when I got my food stamps cut back to $32 a month, but I believe it was back in 2005 or so. That money went to buy milk. Jugs of milk as my son played football, my daughter loved milk and cereal, and milk is my favorite drink. 

I just wanted to cry. Not only does the fair time remind me of struggles with money and food, but also all the people who meant anything to me growing up in 4-H were gone. My folks were not here to help guide me. I needed their help with my kids, my life, my everything. If you had or have your parents with you here as an adult and on into your children’s lives, be thankful. It is not the same without them. Life is hard enough, but to miss the people who mean the world to you is very, very painful. Appreciate them. We, as parents all make mistakes. I have made many extra mistakes. Being naive’ is one of my worst qualities. Loving people too much is another. Make memories with your kids. Try not to base it around food. I did not come from a poor family. I can from a hard working family that had a few set backs, such as losing my brother the year I was born. Trust me when I tell you to make memories playing games, reading books, coloring with you children or grandchildren. I hope to make it down to the fair so that I can see my old fair buddies, and their kids. If you cannot afford to buy goodies for them to eat, pack something special. Perhaps years later, you will not regret how sad, and upsetting it is when they ask you for a snow cone or funnel cake and you have to say “no”  because you have no money. Jars my soul to the bones thinking what I had become. I just wanted their young lives to be happy. 

Two days left in July. No food stamps for me on August first. Another month to make due. I am not poor, I am rich in Jesus.  Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Breakfast: Water, meds and a croissant! plain. flakey, buttery tasting croissant!

Lunch: Water, Dark chocolate bar from Chocolate Angel. :)

Supper: Too tired to eat.

WHAT??? Me? Too tired to eat? Yes, sir. Yes, ma’am. I have been on the poverty diet for a while now. Not being able to afford food will do that to a fluffy chick like me. No transgression intended, but I didn’t have to have surgery, walk 47 miles a day or nothing! Poverty will do that to a person. 

OK, first of all, my children are my everything. They have their own lives, but until the day I go to the big banquet table in the sky, will anyone ever mean more to me than my children. They are grown adults, now. I am as proud of them as a parent can possibly be. NO doubt about it. My son. Oh, how I love my son. Poor guy. So much like me. Strike one for him. He has had to go through more pain than any young man should have to go through. I love him. He is a father of three. They had triplets, at 26 weeks gestation I believe. Three beautiful babies. So tiny. So fragile. Such Miracles. The only prouder daddy that my son, was his father when he was born. We lost one of the boys at 28 days of age. At 20 years of age, my son buried one of his newborn sons. Yes, my son is awesome. He works HARD. He is a good dad. He loves his children and makes sure they have what they need. Worst pain ever. Watching my son, bury his son. He is one of my heros. 

I am very lucky. I have two heros.

My daughter worked very hard through school. She is now taking care of fragile, pain-filled people who need and deserve the love of an angel and hero. She is more woman that I will EVER be. The only people who can compare to her are both her grandmothers. Hardworking, honest, caring mothers who loved their children. She has always been a kind and caring person. So sweet. She has her own little family now. I adore, love her, and respect her tremendously. The reason I mention my children is due to the conversation I had with a reporter. I told him, I didn’t want anyone to know that my little family had ever been on food stamps. I didn’t want to embarrass them. There was talk of not using my interview for the paper for this reason. I hope and pray they will understand. But, you see.... I never wanted food stamps. I always worked two or three jobs. I worked at my day job, worked an after school program for years to supplement my income. I worked weekends at a nursing home as a CNA. Health care of homebound people was another job I worked. I took in sewing, making t-shirt quilts as fast as I could make them. All for money to take care of my kids and provide for them. So that one day, they could be the heros that they are. I am proud of my offspring. If anyone makes fun of them...ANYONE.....God better slap His Hand upside my head quick. I will not tolerate haters. Three days. I got this. I got this. I got this....until forever.

I qualify for food stamps now. Sixteen dollars a month worth of food stamps. I don’t want it. There are others out there who really need it. Far more than me.

Kitten still torturing me with mega claws. Jumps from floor to bed, sinking claws into my leg for a step ladder. Good Grief Kitten. You Animal. 

Blessings to you all and thanks for reading my post.

Crazy week yesterday we all at breakfast at home yesterday then we disbursed. Cassidy and Zeppe packed snacks and sandwich things. They were not happy until they found out they were staying at friends houses until Friday evening. Meanwhile I packed for John and I, we packed snacks granola, pretzels, cheese and nuts. Packed a small roast, eggs, cheese, ham, pork chops. French fries

Breakfast; the usual...water, meds. YUM-O!!!

Lunch: Angel Apple pie (mini) fork, spoon, salt, pepper. :) Chocolate Bar, Fiji Water!! Angel delivered and enjoyed!

Second lunch: about 20 white cheese crackers. *cheesy grin*

SUPPER!!! CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!! My friend, my customer, my mini business partner... COLD FRUIT, fresh, juicy, cold watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, honeydew, pineapple. AND, Teriyaki beef jerky. My heart about stopped at the thought of REAL MEAT!!! SIX croissants ( no I did not eat this all...yet. :) ) AND....BIG, HUGE Hershey’s DARK chocolate...Happy Christmas in July 2016 to me!! Thank you friend and customer Angel. :)  I ate the watermelon first. It was as good as it looked. Then, I ate the rest of the fruit, one croissant, about 4 pieces of beef jerky. I am going to ration the jerky, chocolate bar and croissants. Four days...I can do it. Four days left in the “challenge”. Twenty-eight days left until school starts, Thirty-two days left of my bachelor’s degree is finished. (IF I can pass this class!) A long time coming, for sure. I never claimed to be fast! :) Only thirty-four days until I get a partial paycheck for school year 2016-17. Whew!!! The real challenge of this whole shindig is can I make it until September 15, 2016: first payday? That’s where I am. It is kind of like Pokemon Go for poor people. No need to go walk around looking for invisible critters. Just work, go home, work, go home, work, go home, go see Grandchildren, work, home,  church, wait for a check to show up in my bank account. Oh the joys of adulthood. :) 

I am sorry to see people leaving this challenge. I enjoy seeing what others are eating. I should have taken a picture of my fruit! It was picture worthy, I assure you!! That is the sad thing about fruits and vegetables. They disappear. Thankfully, God has TCK & Co. helping Him to keep us fed. Big blessings to TCK and crew for the fresh from the garden produce! I will miss writing these silly little blurbs, too. Might have to start a blog. BUT, who??? WHO would read it??? Being a positive person (I try anyway) I will write it. They will come. This really is kind of sad. I hate changes, endings of good things, and goodbyes. HATE. THEM. 

Well, it’s ok. I still have four more days. As for Kitten, you would have thought the house was on fire. SHE could smell meat!!! I shared a small piece of jerky with her. She loved it. No haters allowed. It was a SMALL piece. It made her happy. That is what I am all about....making people happy....so, to put you all our of your misery from reading about food, kittens and paydays...Adios amigo.

P.S. This thing does not auto-save. I am here to tell you...it is a tiny miracle you got to read this. It is not lost in cyberspace. PTL. God has a sense of humor, too. :)