Today I joined Congressman Tim Ryan, Bonnie Burdman (Jewish Relations Center), State Representative Sean O’Brien, Rev Lewis Macklin (ACTION president), George Garchar (Social Action/Catholic Charities) and others to purchase food for the week based on the average Food Stamp allocation: $31.50. Come visit our webpage at Catholic Charities on how you can become involved in this process http://www.catholiccharitiesyoungstown.org/assets/files/Fight-Poverty-with-Faith.pdf
We all ventured to Save A Lot stores located at the corner of Gypsy and Belmont Avenue Youngstown. Co-owners John Kawecki and Henry Nemenz, Jr, greeted us, along with local TV cameras/reporters. Congressman Ryan and Bonnie Burdman served as our local spokespersons discussing the National Week and the FPWF. The Save-A-Lot co-owners helped us locate foodstuffs, especially sale items that proved cost effective and beneficial.
Here is my purchase:
4 cans of tuna in water: $2.52
Canned salmon: $2.49
Peanuts: @2.99
1 lb bag of dry black eye peas: $1.79
Tea bags (50): $1.59
Black pepper for seasoning: $1.99
Bread, lite wheat: $1.89
1.5 lbs of bartlett pears: $1.56
1 lb of tomatoes: $1.28
.72 lb of onions: $0.71
2.22 lbs of mustard greens: @2.20
2.71 ibs of turnip greens: $2.68
TOTAL: $23.69
My plan is to make from the onions, pepper, black eye peas and greens into a recipe called: “sleek”. I will need 2 tbs of oil ($1.00) and some nutmeg ($1.00). This will make 9 -11 servings of sleek. A good source of protein and vegetables.
I will use the tuna and the salmon as the full protein for lunch and dinner meals this week. I do have some eggs in the house already, so will plan to eat 2 eggs each morning with a side of sleek for breakfast.
I also have to confess: I have a board meeting on Tuesday evening, so dinner will be free. I have a community event on Thursday evening at a college so dinner will be free; I also have a lunch event that same day and someone paid for lunch already. I have a private meeting on Friday, so lunch will be free. I am able to cover 4 meals this week through the generosity of 4 organizations. THANKS to St. Elizabeth, First Friday Club of Youngstown, Malone University, and Barb Z.
For a week, 7 days, three meals: 21 meals.
4 are free.
Need to eat on this budget for 17 meals
Hope I am doing the math right.
Any suggestions?
Filed under: Catholic Charities USA, Economic Policy, morals, Personal Reflections, Poverty, Spirituality, Uncategorized
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