Congresswoman Lee Takes the Food Stamp Challenge

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- In an effort to help raise hunger awareness, Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee is taking the “Food Stamp Challenge,” to live on just $21 for one week.

Lee is a Democrat from California’s 9th Congressional District and just one of several legislators taking on the challenge. She knows from experience what it is like to live on food stamps. In college, as a single mother of two, Lee received food stamps.

"We decided to participate in this challenge to help raise the level of awareness and really inform the public that food stamp recipients live on $21 a week, $3 a day," said Lee. "Hopefully through this campaign we will help those who are eligible for food stamps understand that they should apply and that there are some of us who are trying to increase the amount so they can get on their feet."

Lee also said the amount needs to be higher to give struggling people nutritious food options.

(RdD)