CLEVELAND–Sometime’s it’s hard to pay off everyday things, but one local congresswoman hoping to survive on $5 a day.
“This week I am shopping on a $31 budget to bring attention to hunger in this country,” said Rep. Marcia Fudge, a democrat from District 11, “and the fact that in Washington, where I work every day, people are talking about cutting back on food stamps.”
With federal budget cuts, Rep. Fudge said food stamp programs are likely to be the first to go, but they are a vital part of the Cleveland community.
Nearly 45.2 Americans have filed for food stamp programs this year–that about one out of seven people.
About 20 percent of those in District 11 are enrolled in the food-assistance program, like Lena Boswell.
Boswell and her two children have survived on the program ever since she lost her jobs two years ago.
“Living on a budget isn’t impossible,” she said. “Truly, you just need to do a little homework. Think about it. Make a list. Make a menu. Don’t shop hungry.”
In addition to scouring sales ads, Boswell said she also heads to different stores for different deals, including ethnic markets for cheap spices and produce.
With Boswell’s help, Rep. Fudge was able to find a few sales and grab some go-to things she needed. Her total bill: $22.65.
“I might need to save some and buy a hot dog on the street or something, so I need to save my money,” she said. “As a nation, we can’t lose our moral compass. If we can’t feed each other, then we have really lost our way.”