Congresswoman Fudge to Shop for 1 Week's Worth of Food for $31.50 as Part of the Food Stamp Challenge

For Immediate Release Belinda Prinz Communications Director Belinda.Prinz@mail.house.gov   (216) 630-0072

November 4, 2011 Media Advisory CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE TO SHOP FOR ONE WEEK'S WORTH OF FOOD FOR $31.50 AS PART OF THE FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) will visit a Dave's Supermarket in Cleveland at 12 noon on November 7th as part of her participation in a national Food Stamp Challenge.  At that time, the Congresswoman will purchase one week's worth of food; spending no more than $31.30, the average weekly allotment for a Food Stamp recipient.  That comes out to $4.50 a day per person, or $1.50 per meal.   Media are welcome to cover her shopping trip. Congresswoman Fudge joined the challenge to live off the average Food Stamp benefit for one week as part of the "Fighting Poverty with Faith, Working Together to end Hunger" mobilization campaign. This effort seeks to raise awareness of hunger across the Nation and defend the Food Stamp program (formally called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) from proposed cuts in the federal budget. "In June, a staggering 45.2 million Americans filed for food stamps because they are living in poverty- that's 1 in 7 Americans.  The need is certainly great in our community with 20% of the residents of my district receiving food stamps. It would be an American tragedy if we balance the federal budget by reducing food aid to our most vulnerable citizens," said Congresswoman Fudge.   WHO:  Congresswoman Marcia Fudge WHEN:  12pm noon, Monday, November 7, 2011 WHERE:  Dave's Supermarket, 3301 Payne Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114 WHAT:  Shopping trip to purchase one week's worth of food for $31.50, the average weekly Food Stamp benefit