MD Hunger Solutions Blog

"Creativity and Collaboration" - a solution to obesity

2008-06-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

by Sabina Payen, Maryland Hunger Solutions Summer Intern

Maryland Hunger Solutions was among the large group of health officials, legislators, community advocates and others who came together Tuesday to discuss the issues of obesity and nutrition in Maryland. The Healthy Active Maryland 2008 symposium on the challenges and solutions to addressing obesity was planned by the MD Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle Coalition. The goal of the event was to empower Maryland partners to address challenges in obesity prevention efforts and to learn the practical programs, policies and solutions.

Ken Stanton, PhD, from the University of Baltimore was the keynote speaker. He made the point that "cheap food" or unhealthy food was a factor in obesity. The unhealthy stuff is the most affordable. I'll admit I live off the $3 meal of a burger, fries and soda instead of going to the market and buying healthy foods and preparing it myself.

Secretary Gloria Lawlah, Maryland Department Aging, one of the panel speakers, gave a moving and empowering speech on the how changes from the past to the present are factors in obesity. I'm too young to remember, but my father reminds me from time to time that he walked everywhere. There were few TVs and definitely no Internet or video games back then. So kids actually went outside to play or found more active things to do than sitting around all day eating. There were really no McDonald's or Burger Kings, so families actually ate home cooked meals everyday. This is very different from today's society of working families and single parent homes. Secretary Lawlah also explained that what we make a habit of now will grow with us into our old age.

The symposium was made up of several different round table discussions on the many issues and solutions to obesity, one of the speakers was Brenda Schwaab from the School and Community Nutrition Branch of the Maryland State Department of Education. Schwaab gave a very informative and interactive presentation on the policy and environment issues involved in implementing school breakfast programs and how to overcome them. She described how school breakfast can promote better eating habits in school age children.

Which brings me back to my title, "Creativity and Collaboration," two words Senator David C. Harrington, Maryland State Senate, District 47, mentioned in the closing remarks of his speech. Creativity and collaboration were his ideas for the solution to obesity. As he explained his take on it, it became clear to me that it was the solution to many issues that involve our youth. Creativity is the idea of restructuring how we do things, and collaboration is realizing that it’s not just a school system problem but a problem for all of us. We have to attack these issues from different angles now to get results in the future.

For more information on the symposium and the coalition visit: http://www.healthyactivemaryland.org.

Farm Bill Passes - and MD Hunger Solutions Is There!

2008-05-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

by Kimberely Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions

This has been an incredibly exciting week. The Farm Bill passed in the House and the Senate with veto proof majorities in both!

With rising prices for food, fuel and housing, this is a great victory for everyone in this country who is just struggling to put food on the table.

The Farm Bill increases the minimum food stamp benefits; updates the food stamp asset rules; ties the asset limits to inflation; and allows families to continue to save for retirement and their children’s education without jeopardizing their eligibility for the program.

This week, in support of the Farm Bill, I also had a wonderful opportunity to speak at a press conference on the Hill on Wednesday, May 14th. Click here for more pictures of the event. Congressional Majority Leader Steny Hoyer from Maryland organized the event with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to highlight how the increased nutrition benefits in the Farm Bill will benefit their communities. I was honored to be invited by Majority Leader Hoyer to represent the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) as the only non-congressional speaker at the event. Click here to see a copy of my statement (pdf).

Photo courtesy of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's photostream on Flickr.

Farm Bill Discussion Happening Now

2008-04-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

With 9.5 percent, or almost 1 in 10 Maryland Households facing a constant threat of hunger, it is critical that Congress act on the Farm bill now! Maryland’s own Representative Sandy Rosenberg co-wrote a great Op-Ed in the Baltimore Sun discussing food stamps and the desperate need to pass a Farm bill right away. The current law was extended (once again) through April 25th, so Congress has one more week to act on the Farm Bill!

Washington Post Covers School Nutrition Finances

2008-04-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

Kudos to the Washington Post for their article titled "Schools Get A Lesson in Lunch Line Economics." Maryland is mentioned a number of times. Gist of the story: school meal programs nationwide are feeling the pinch from the sluggish economy and having to make some financial decisions affecting cost and nutritional value of student meals.

My Week on the Food Stamp Challenge

2008-03-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

Mark Millspaugh, Assistant Director, Family Investment, Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services

My experience with the Food Stamp Challenge was illuminating. While I must admit that I cheated, it was still a great learning experience for me and those I came into contact with. The first thing I struggled with was not having a morning cup of coffee. I could not justify the expense and adhered to the rule of not accepting offers of free coffee from well-meaning colleagues who observed my grogginess each morning.

I survived the entire week drinking water almost exclusively, which brings me to my second issue. It became very clear to me that to eat a diet entirely funded through the Food Stamp Program, one had to consume fairly unhealthy food and drinks. I could not afford orange juice, thus did not get my daily recommended allowance of vitamin C. I could not drink milk, thus did not get sufficient amounts of calcium. I ate almost no fresh fruit or vegetables. The Ramen noodles I ate for lunch had very high sodium content. The only meats I could afford had a high fat content. The bread I used was not multigrain and therefore had a low fiber content. Much of my dinner each night consisted of simple carbohydrates which quickly turn to sugar in the body. Because of this I cheated and continued to take multivitamins which I had purchased prior to the FS Challenge.

Lastly, I inadvertently became an ambassador and spokesperson for the FS Program. As I stated earlier, when I attended morning meetings I would often receive offers for free cups of coffee. When I declined and informed the offerer of my participation in the FS Challenge the person would become interested and ask questions about the program and its benefit amounts. On Tuesday I chaperoned a field trip for my 8-year-old sons's school to Mt. Vernon, VA. We were instructed to bring a bag lunch (this is another time when I cheated and took a can of soda that I had purchased previous to the Challenge). When the other parents and teachers saw what I had brought, and how little of it there was, I could not help but notice their inquisitive looks. I told them of the Challenge and informed them of the very low monthly benefit levels that people on Food Stamps receive. They were shocked!

Overall, I think the experience opened my eyes and those of others with whom I came into contact. While I regularly bring my lunch to work each day and eat home-cooked meals each night, the food that I purchase at the grocery store to prepare those meals costs far more than a Food Stamp Program recipient can afford. It is amazing to me how many people routinely stop in Starbucks for a cup of coffee in the morning or go out to a fast food restaurant for lunch or order takeout for dinner. These are things that a Food Stamp Program recipient could not possibly do. Yet the majority of these recipients are employed and caring for children and have the same need for simplicity and expediency in their daily lives as the rest of us do.

My Food Stamp Challenge Experience & Lessons Learned

2008-03-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

by Peter Buesgens, Director of the Worcester County Department of Social Services

What I learned was it is hard to eat healthy on that amount [$21 per week], fresh meats and vegetable/fruits are cost prohibitive. High carb foods tend to be the cheapest. Also, buying in bulk is difficult. I could have gotten a good deal on ten cans of Ravioli for $10 but that would have taken half my budget for just one type of food. $21 is not conducive to the efficiency of bulk buying. I probably lost a few pounds in the process despite eating a lot of high carb food. I didn't keep a list but I ate: many cereal breakfasts, sometimes with milk, sometimes without. Red beans and rice got me through about half of my dinners. A jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread was my staple for lunch. Spaghettios was my change of pace meal at .89 cents a can. Non-brand-name soups were also good for a change of pace or to have something a little extra with a meal. Glad it's over, I'm heading for a Chinese buffet for lunch today!

The Food Stamp Challenge - I'm Still Hungry

2008-03-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Dr. Rebecca Bolton Bridgett, Director of the Charles County Department of Social Services

I spent $14.85 for five days ($3/day x 5 days). I purchased peanut butter, jelly, bread, yogurt, two bananas and soup. I did well the first day. The second day, however, my son was ill and we went to the doctor. Due to the unpredictable schedule, I purchased a sandwich for lunch. I found the difficulties to include:

1.) poor selection,
2.) unable to complete nutritionally balanced meals,
3.) spontaneous decision-making was impossible.

Thank you for the opportunity to experience the Food Stamp Challenge. It was a real eye-opener!

My Food Stamp Challenge Journey

2008-03-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

by Ellen Payne, Assistant Director, Worcester County Department of Social Services

I emailed Yolanda at the last minute agreeing to participate “in some way” and when she emailed me back and asked me what I was going to do, I told her “the $21 thing.” So, on Sunday March 9, I went to the Walmart Superstore and put my food stamp groceries in the top of the cart and my family groceries in the bottom of the cart. My food stamp bill was $15.64. I bought generics wherever possible, spaghetti, chunky peanut butter, tuna, raisin bran, spaghetti sauce, ground beef, loaf of bread and quart of milk.

On day one, I had bananas for breakfast, tuna sandwich for lunch and cereal for dinner. After I had raisin bran for dinner, I read the instructions for a procedure I was having on Friday and found out I was not supposed to have bran or nuts. And no food on Thursday. So, on day two I called the doctor’s office, told them what I had eaten (bran and nuts), and they told me it would be OK to proceed on Friday if I didn’t do it again. So, I had to go to the store (Food Lion) to buy a different cereal and smooth peanut butter (I spent $4.38, so I had .98 left). I agonized over the generic cereals, trying to find one that was reasonably healthy and also cheap.

I settled on generic Special K, which I had for dinner that night. Day three (Wednesday) I had cereal for breakfast, a peanut butter sandwich in the car for lunch, then sat through lunch with friends without ordering anything, and spaghetti for dinner which I shared with my husband (he had garlic bread). Day four I could not eat any solid food, so I drank only water until 5PM. When I began to feel light headed, I broke down and had sugar free jello and apple juice I bought a few weeks ago in anticipation of the medical test I was scheduled for on Friday. So I only lasted until Day four, 5PM.

I shared my grocery receipts and my experience with my staff. Diane Reddick, a Long Term Care Case Manager on my staff, said she tried it for one day ($3 for food). I learned that I could not buy the healthy food or the variety I was used to on the food stamp allotment. I learned what it was like to agonize over purchasing groceries, instead of just throwing what I want into the cart. I sat in a restaurant without ordering while my friends had a delicious lunch. And, I didn’t make it past Day four, 5PM!!

The Food Stamp Challenge - My Biggest Challenge Yet

2008-03-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

By Brenda Rupp, The Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources

Day 3:

On Wednesday nights during Lent, my family and I eat soup and salad before my church's Lenten Service, which includes dinner. I completely forget to eat my dinner before going to Church because I am not accustomed to cooking dinner on Wednesdays. I had to sit there hungry, watching everyone eat. When asked why I was not eating, I said I was on the Food Stamp Challenge and could only eat the things I bought. Everyone was shocked when I said that people on food stamps have to eat on about $3 per day or $1 a meal. Everyone said they could not be able to do it. I challenged everyone that night to try it for a week. However, I was not able to focus on the sermon as I was hungry and thinking only of food and kept looking at my watch to see if it was time to go. It was 8:30 when we got home. I hate my cup o’noodles and was still hungry so I made myself two scrambled eggs.

My Last Day

On my last day on the challenge, the only food left is oatmeal and eggs. My lettuce mix only lasted 3 days and I went through my fruit in the first 4 days. I ate oatmeal for breakfast, two hardboiled eggs for lunch and leftover rice (a very small portion) for dinner. I am still hungry.

My challenge is over. All I can say is that it was truly a humbling experience. My kids saw how little food I ate during the week compared to what they ate. The experience put a new perspective on “left overs,” and my kids appreciated what they had to eat. Not once this week did they complain about what was on their dinner plate.

The Food Stamp Challenge - A Week in Review

2008-03-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions

The last days of the Food Stamp Challenge: In many ways getting through the weekend was more difficult than it had been during the week. Without a strict work schedule, I constantly felt the need to snack or wander into the kitchen for something to eat. Crackers and carrots aren’t as exciting on the weekend when you face a kitchen full of different foods! Throughout the week people asked me if my mood had changed because of hunger or my change in diet. My family and coworkers would probably agree that I was slightly more moody than usual, but I don’t know if I can truly attribute that to this Food Stamp Challenge. My first meal off the challenge was a dinner at a community meeting and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. When I got home, however, in the privacy of my kitchen, I felt like someone who had been rescued from a deserted island and sampled (gorged on?) many of the foods that I had missed throughout the week! I have now officially completed the Food Stamp Challenge and look forward to eating a wider variety of more nutritious food, but for so many others, there is no choice. This Challenge has raised my awareness of the difficulties that people face every day to feed themselves and their families. Food stamps are the first line of defense against hunger, but the benefits are not sufficient to help people eat healthy meals throughout the month. We must ensure that congress acts quickly on a Farm bill that can help make food stamps more accessible and adequate to the needs of hungry individuals and families in this country.

The Food Stamp Challenge - Spilling the Beans

2008-03-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions

The bean fiasco seemed to spill over into the morning. Once again I wonder when people have the time to prepare food, care for their children, keep the house relatively clean, maintain relationships and work full-time jobs. I threw the beans into a container to take with me for lunch, made my now daily breakfast sandwich of egg on toast, put some carrots into a bag and prepared for the day. The boys were fed, clothed and though a few minutes late, I flew to the car to get to work. As I was driving down the highway, it suddenly came to me that I had forgotten my lunch on the kitchen counter. On a normal day I would simply shrug and go out for lunch at a nearby eatery. Today I just thought about how hungry I would be if I didn’t have my food. I turned the car around and headed back home. As I picked up my lunch and prepared once again to head back into traffic to get to work, I thought about the choice that I had made. If I worked in a position where I had to punch a time clock, got docked for coming in late or had the threat of losing my job for coming in late, I can imagine making another choice. It would be better to go hungry than lose my job. It might be better to use a little of the rent or electricity money to buy a small snack than turn back and end up late for work. This exercise has been about the choices we are forced to make when we have limited resources. It is also about the choices this country can make to ensure that people have enough to eat and don’t have to worry about hunger. By the way, although edible, I think that my beans could probably be cooked some more!

The Food Stamp Challenge - My Challenges Go On

2008-03-19T06:03:00.000-07:00

By Brenda Rupp, The Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources

My Second Challenge

Day 1:

I was able to get through the first day but felt hungry at dinnertime. It was challenging cooking dinner for my family, as they are not doing this with me. Oh how I wanted so badly to eat what I had prepared them for dinner. I prayed to GOD for strength and will power to not cheat.

My Third Challenge

Day 2:

By the lunch the second day, I was very sick. I realized it was because I was using my tap water to drink rather than Deer Park Spring Water that I usually drink. We have well water and it is full of chemicals and not only tastes bad but has a funky smell. When buying my groceries, it did not dawn on me to buy bottled water. Even if I had remembered, that would have taken up most of my budget. As much as I wanted to continue to drink the tap water, I had to cheat and drink the deer park water for health reasons. One of the things my doctor told me 7 years ago when I was diagnosed with Chron’s disease is that well water can be debilitating to the disease. I had to use the water from my deer park cooler at home. I felt so so bad for cheating (not buying the water) but had to for my health.

My Food Stamp Challenge Journey

2008-03-18T05:56:00.001-07:00

By Brenda Rupp, The Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources

I wanted to participate in the Food Stamp Challenge for two reasons. One is to bring awareness to the “powers that be” that people with special dietary needs due to health reasons (Diabetes, Chron’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, etc.) need to eat a healthy, whole foods diet. Essentially, this means eating fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, protein, beans/legumes and nuts – no processed foods. This is very hard to do on $3 a day. My second reason for taking this challenge was because not to long ago, my family and I prepared and served a meatloaf dinner at the only overnight homeless shelter in Harford County. We do this on the 15th of each month with our Church. I did not eat dinner that night with the people we served because I do not eat red meat because of my dietary issues. When asked by one of the ladies who was staying at the shelter why I was not eating, my response was “I can’t eat this food”. I said it assuming she would understand what I meant (because of dietary issues), however this was not the case and she was offended. She said, “When you are hungry and homeless you take what you can get and don’t complain about it”. She then said something that really stuck with me, “Everyone should have to walk a mile in the shoes of those less fortunate”.

My First Challenge

Before going to the grocery store, I prepared a menu for my meals. I realized immediately that I would not be able to afford to eat that way I am accustomed. I have Chron’s disease and have it under control for the most part by eating a whole foods diet. I stay away from processed foods as much as possible. I knew I would not be able to afford to by fresh vegetables and fruit on $3 a day, let alone meat. I thought of some foods that would make me feel full but still healthy. I went to Food Lion and was happy to say that most of my purchases were on sale. Thank goodness or I would have not had much at all in my cart. I purchased eggs for my protein because I could not afford meat. I can’t have lunch meat because it's processed. I bought oatmeal, brown rice, bananas, two apples, pre-packaged lettuce mix, salad dressing, cup o’ noodles and rice cakes. I actually had boxes of macaroni and cheese that were on sale for $0.33 a box. I was so excited I put 3 in my cart and then realized I had to buy milk and butter to make it, so I put it back. At the check out, I told the cashier I was taking the food stamp challenge. He laughed when I told him I had only $3 per day to spend. He said the items in my cart are what he consumes in a day. He looked to be about 21 and about 6ft. 4in so I think he was probably right.

Tomorrow: My Second Challenge

My Final Day of the MD FS Challenge

2008-03-18T04:07:00.000-07:00

by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources

This is the last day of the Challenge! I still have two conferences left to go and a business lunch as well.

I had a grapefruit, toast with marmalade and a big glass of water. I arrived at the first conference just as they were serving a continental breakfast. Oh, I can just smell the coffee. In fact, all I did was smell the coffee and look at the fruit salad, four different types of juice (orange, grapefruit, cranberry and apple), bagels and croissants galore as well as assorted danish. I found a seat and drank some water from a pitcher and passed on the bowl of candy at my table.

Next was a business lunch except that yours truly didn't have lunch. If that wasn't bad enough I needed to enter the second conference by the buffet lunch. If that wasn't bad enough dessert was cheesecake, carrot cake and black-and-white cookies. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry.

The Food Stamp Challenge

2008-03-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

Last week, a number of prominent Baltimore citizens enrolled in the Maryland Hunger Solutions Food Stamp Challenge and agreed to limit their food spending and consumption to $21 for an entire week, the total buying power of an individual's weekly allotment of food stamps. Click on the following names to read their experiences and thoughts:

Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions. Kimberley organized the Challenge and participants while opening up the new Maryland Hunger Solutions office.

Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources.

Father Joe Muth of St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City.

Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources.

As this is a blog, the entries are published and stored in reverse chronological order, with the most recent entry close to the top of the page. To read entries chronologically from the beginning, scroll down to the end of the page and read up. And please feel free to comment!

Fr. Joe Reflects on His Final Food Stamp Challenge Hours

2008-03-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

by Father Joe Muth - St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City

Yesterday morning was Palm Sunday. I finished my box of cereal and milk, and last night I finished the box of crackers. Yesterday at lunch I finished my last can of tuna fish. I still have some peanut butter left and two tangerines. Last night I went to a family gathering for the ninth anniversary of my father's death and there was lots of food there. I had great conversation but just had a glass of water with ice for the evening. It was strange especially with many people encouraging me to eat. The food was plentiful and right before my eyes. Many poor people would have devoured the table if they had the opportunity, but the opportunity is not as readily available for them as for me. So even my holding off from eating last night was kind of a luxury because I knew I only had one more day of this and I could go back to food whenever and wherever I want. I have also been touched by waiting for my next meal and trying to time it so that I will feel "full" until the next meal. I put the word "full" in quotation marks because I don't think I ever felt full this whole week. And the few times I felt hunger pangs I looked for a clock to see when my next "meal" would be, even if my "meal" was crackers and peanut butter. So I learned a lot this week. Thanks for asking me to join the challenge. I know it has changed my awareness and I wonder how I will be different now. Peace and blessings, Fr. Joe

I Almost Stayed Home from Work Today to Eat

2008-03-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources

Let me tie up a few loose ends of my Challenge experience. As you know, I discovered yesterday that my husband had been a Challenge participant and I hadn’t realized it by looking at the items he’d been consuming. By Sunday morning he’d dropped out of the challenge again because I saw cupcakes wrappers and traces of other non-Challenge foods in our trash.

After church on Sunday I had my heart set on eating tomato soup with a piece of toast for lunch. However, by the time my husband ran all of his after church errands I didn’t have time to fix it so had to settle for two PB&J sandwiches. Can I tell you I am sick of PB&J? Normally I’m not a big bread eater so eating all this bread was a bit much for me. By Sunday the bread wasn’t even still fresh and soft. I think the only thing that helped me make it through the day was knowing that it was the last day of the challenge. For dinner last night I had my mac & tuna salad. Even eating more of that was a bit challenging. I ended up throwing a little bit of that away as well. I can’t wait to cook a real meal that is satisfying and nutritious for my husband and I.

I truly hope that after this that policy makers are "challenged" to seriously consider increasing the food stamp grants. I believe that everyone should have an opportunity to purchase healthy food and drinks for themselves and their families. Over the last seven days I’ve been able to get a laugh here and give a laugh there but for many this is no laughing matter because this is how they live and the challenges they face on a daily basis. The Food Stamp Program is supposed to help 26 million low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health each month. I believe that when you have to choose between eating healthy or eating daily because you only have $3 a day, most people would choose to eat daily. The Food Stamp grants need to be increased for needy families everywhere. Thanks for following my Food Stamp Challenge Journey. I must admit - I’m glad it’s over.

Sunday - Is it Over Yet?

2008-03-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources

I am still at the conference and there is yet another luncheon meeting! This time I can get a glass of water. I made a decision to not eat at these meetings and to just eat at home or not at all. Today I decided to just hold off until dinner. Everything was going fine until the break when they served ice cream! I really had to question taking the Food Stamp Challenge. I will be glad when this is over tomorrow. However, the challenge of having enough to eat will not end for over three hundred fifty thousand of my fellow Marylanders tomorrow. For them, the struggle continues to plan meals and eat healthy for not much while we live literally in a land of plenty.

Well, I finally got out of the conference and went home. My wife told me that she was making lasagna so I better make something if I was going to eat. So I went ahead and made up some spaghetti with meat sauce. Lucky for me I just love pasta and could eat it every day. Unfortunately, I didn't buy any eggs or cheese or I would make spaghetti pie with the leftovers.

Attending a Conference & Continuing The FS Challenge

2008-03-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources

I am still in the Challenge. Saturday was really bad. While breakfast went well (grapefruit, toast with marmalade and a glass of milk), lunch was a challenge. I went to a conference and attended a lunch which consisted of shrimp and a tilapia filet crusted with almonds and a lemon butter sauce served with asparagus on a bed of risotto. I had some real problems with passing this up as they served whole wheat rolls and coffee. I thought I was going to lose it when the cheesecake with whipped cream arrived. I couldn't even have water as the water pitchers were filled with iced tea and the only water available was in bottles. Dinner was better. I made up a really big bowl of pasta with a meat sauce that also included carrots and onions. I included a lot of black pepper with this and wound up having a real spicy and filling dinner. Later on I had a grapefruit for dessert.

I Survived! I Survived!

2008-03-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources

I am happy to report that I made it through my leadership meeting today where they were serving food and it was a rather painless experience. I was much easier than I thought it would be. I took my can of fruit cocktail, a bowl and my water bottle with me the the meeting. Once we arrived at the church I changed my mind about actually taking the fruit cocktail in with me. There were 400 people in attendance. I figured if I really wanted it I would go out and sit in the car and eat it. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I just took the water bottle in. Well once we registered for the meeting we were given our food tickets. I said to my husband at the time "You can have my ticket and eat my food because you know I can't eat it."

I nearly fainted when he said "I can't eat it either I'm with you on this." I replied "With me on what?" and he said "The Challenge." I couldn't help but think to myself "where had he been on Mon - Fri when I was starving & struggling" and he was eating oatmeal, fried chicken, biscuits, pizza, drinking turkey hill orange drink and tea?" You know I had to ask him. He's so funny - he replied something about him needing to stick to his $21 allotment. I then remembered he initially did say he'd do the challenge with me when he was with me or something like that.

Here's how I got through the meeting: When one of the teachers that was teaching a class entered the dining room I agreed to go set up her class while she ate breakfast. She was a senior citizen so she thought that was a fabulous idea. So, my husband and I quickly ran off from the dining room with the smell of eggs, bacon, croissants, juice, coffee and other breakfast goodies in the air to her classroom down the hall and set it up. We just made it because as we left they were calling our table to the buffet. By the time we returned most were done eating and we didn't have to answer any questions about why we weren't eating.

After the meeting I decided to go visit my friend at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Her sister came in with lots of fresh fruit for my friend. She had pineapple, mango, green grapes and papaya. I love fruit and I hadn't had anything to eat all day. I never would take a patient's food but I really thought about it. I was asked if I'd like some, and I hungrily said "no thank you" and continued drinking my water.

I ended up visiting with my friend for about two hours. By then it was two o'clock when I got back to the car, and I could get to my fruit cocktail fast enough. I offered my husband some of the fruit cocktail and he refused, saying he wasn't hungry. I had to ask him if he'd been somewhere eating hamburgers and french fries while I was visiting my friend. He said he had not, but I guess I'll never truly know.

We finally got back home at 6:00. I was thinking all the way home what I could eat that would fill me up. I decided on oodles of noodles. I cooked two packs this time because last time I was still hungry after eating one pack. I wanted to save my tuna mac with the evaporating mayo for my special Sunday meal. So, I ate two packs of oodles of noodles and five lemon cookies. I wanted to rush up to the computer after eating to update you on my Saturday.

Did anyone see my husband at any fast food joint between 1-3 pm yesterday near Sinai Hospital eating hamburgers, french fries or pizza?

Meatless Friday

2008-03-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources

Wow, it is Friday and I am still on the Challenge. Last Night I had two burgers on bread with a whole lot of broiled onions (no fries). I topped that off with a large glass of milk.

This morning I was in a rush and had a grapefruit. I traveled off to Annapolis (again) this morning for a meeting. After that I had lunch which consisted of another grapefruit and a carrot. I expect to have either lentils or pasta tonight (maybe both). I am feeling pretty good and have noticed that I lost a few more pounds. I guess that smaller portions is the trick. I did have one low point today. After my meeting I got a real craving to go have a slice of pizza. Luckily, I had my lunch in the car so I ate lunch right in the parking lot before heading back.

Coming up is the ultimate test as I have to attend a conference in Washington, DC this weekend. I don't know how I will fare will all the free food, luncheon and reception invitations I just received. I guess I will just pack lunch and some snacks. How I will avoid the coffee is another matter altogether.

It should be an interesting weekend.

It's Friday - Just 2 More Days Remaining

2008-03-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources

I'm a little late with my blog post today. I had lots of things I needed to do. Well, I didn't get to eat my applesauce until 12 noon today and that was supposed to be breakfast. I was able to drink lots of water again today while I awaited the opportunity to eat. I ate one of my two PB&J sandwiches that I made for lunch as I was driving in the car. I'll save the other for a mid day snack since I ate my breakfast really late today and it's already made and in my car. The first thing I noticed when I woke up this morning and opened our refrigerator is that my husband's tuna mac salad was gone. I immediately feared mine would now be in danger of disappearing. I'd better find/cook something additional for him and QUICK! or the end result could be HUNGER FOR ME!!! if may salad disappears. I was amazed that the first thing I looked for as I reached for the PB&J to make my sandwich was my long awaited/desired tuna mac salad.

I think tomorrow is going to be my largest challenge because of the leadership meeting at church with food. I think I'll combat the temptation by taking a can of fruit cocktail with me to the meeting for breakfast along with my bottle of water. I have one can of fruit cocktail remaining. I only purchased two cans and I've used one for my jello/fruit cocktail "breakfast combo". I think I still may sit in the hall while the meeting attendees eat or that could be the "DEATH OF MY CHALLENGE". I'd hate to have one day left and fall off and get run over by the wagon! Sat. and Sun. both may be hard simply because normally that is when I cook the really nice meals. I think I'll use a portion of Sat. and Sun. to run around to all my grocery stores and pick up all my favorites for next week. I noticed when I'm busy running around I don't think about food as much. I'm satisfied simply by drinking my water.

Last night I had tomato soup for dinner and the remaining jello with fruit cocktail for a snack. Tonight I'll have either more of my tuna mac salad or oodles of noodles. I'll have to see how I feel at dinner time. Speaking of tuna mac salad something "really weird" happened to my tuna mac salad between Weds. night and lunch on Thurs. I think all of my dollar store pasta drank up all my dollar store mayo because my salad was pretty dry when I had it for lunch yesterday. It was much more moist when I made it and tried it on Weds. night.

I went to the dollar store last night as a do every week and the cashier asked me "if I was still doing that thing for work"? She was talking about the FS Challenge. I told her yes and told her I was glad she remembered and that I would put her in my blog. She knew about the Challenge because I'd done a portion of my shopping there and I'd mentioned the forthcoming challenge to her. I was so surprised that she remembered.

NPR Covers the Maryland Food Stamp Challenge

2008-03-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

Food Stamp Challenge Highlights Need for Reform

BALTIMORE, MD - Try spending no more than 21 dollars on food and beverages over seven days. That's what people taking Maryland's Food Stamp Challenge are doing this week. This national campaign sets out to raise awareness about living on the average food stamp benefit of three dollars per day. WYPR's Stephanie Marudas reports.

On Day 1 of the Food Stamp Challenge, Kevin McGuire is shopping at Santoni's -- a family-owned supermarket in East Baltimore. Grocery basket in hand, McGuire is Maryland's Food Stamp director. He paces the aisles looking how to spend 21 dollars on food that will last him seven days. (Click here to read the rest of the story...)

The Food Stamp Challenge - Pressures on the Working Mom

2008-03-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions

This morning began as it does for many households with a full-time working mother with young children – with me getting ready for work while getting the three boys dressed, fed and ready for the day. The difference was that in addition to quickly making an egg sandwich for breakfast to carry to work with me, I also had to soak a bag of beans if I wanted any real variety in my diet tonight.

To make beans and rice, I usually use the cooked cans of beans that don’t need to be soaked, so this was new for me. I felt as though I was doing what my mother and generations of Caribbean mothers had done many times before me (but what I generally avoid doing) – soaking beans for the main meal. I quickly read the package and put the beans in a pot with water to soak for the day. I anticipated coming home to find beans that were ready to be used to create dinner. It didn’t quite work out that way. I came home, started preparing the dish, and realized that I heard beans clinking against the side of the saucepan. I don’t recall my beans clinking before. I quickly pulled the empty bean bag from the garbage and realized that I hadn’t put enough water in the beans. It looked as though I wouldn’t be having beans for dinner. I then did what any self-respecting, grown mother of three would do in that situation. I called my mother. She confirmed that I would have to boil the beans for a very long time for them to be edible.

I was told that the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, which is the national standard for a nutritious meal for a minimal cost and a basis for maximum food stamp allotments, allocates 3 hours of cooking time a day. I actually think with the planning, preparation and cooking time it is much more. How are working mothers of small children supposed to “do it all?” How are they supposed to “do it all” with limited time and on an incredibly limited budget? And with the cost of energy and food going up, the budgets will get even tighter. Food Stamps are the first line of defense again hunger and with the rising costs of food, they need to be adjusted to adequately help people feed their families a nutritious meal. Anyway, I will eat another small salad as I sit here waiting for my beans to cook.

The Food Stamp Challenge - Questions

2008-03-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

by Father Joe Muth - St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City

Yesterday was the first day I began to worry if I had enough food to last for the week. I have $1.74 left from my original $21.00 and I already have started thinking about how I want to spend it. Yesterday was also the day I really started feeling hungry in the afternoon. I also have begun to wonder if I run out of food before Sunday do I have the guts or courage or humility (or whatever it takes) to go to a soup kitchen to supplement my food for the week. If I have to do something I think I would prefer a soup kitchen to getting a bag of food from a food pantry because I'd feel like I was taking food from someone else. There has been food all around me this week but I haven't participated because I am trying to be faithful to the challenge. I told myself that the only food I can have this week is the food that I bought with my $19.26. So even if I have a snack at night I have the peanut butter and crackers that I bought. However, I ask myself when I snack, if I have this snack now will I still have enough food to get to the end of the week, so I am cautious about how much I snack.

I have never asked these questions before. I think the challenge has already had its effect on me.