3-day Food Stamp Challenge groceries

I’m not prepared for this.

(Shawn, I stole your thought).  But it stayed with me for nearly a week.  I’m not prepared to be poor this week.

We spend our lives preparing for stuff.  Important stuff.  Mundane stuff.  Fun stuff.  Scary stuff.  Eventful stuff.  Beige stuff.  I’m an engineer so my stuff is prepared for in the form of a list, aligned just so and in order of importance.  Yes, borderline OCD but that’s the way we roll.

Sunday nights I prepare for Monday.  Monday morning, I prepare for Monday afternoon meetings.  During the meetings, I prepare for the next meeting (in my head, if I have to talk; on paper, if I just have to listen).   I plan my after work route home – whether it’s via the gym, gas station, grocery store, softball field – any and/or all before dinner and bed.  Not having children, I can only imagine the gym and softball game would be replaced by kid-like activities and 3 -5 more items thrown into the fray, just to make it real.

We’re preparing for Halloween and Thanksgiving will be coming soon too.  Christmas is 84 days away.  How many of you have your shopping done?  Not me.  I can’t bear to think about it.

Last week Sunday, I was preparing to do the Food Stamp Challenge for 3 days – Monday through Wednesday that week.  Right after masses, I was heading to the grocery store with $9 in hand to buy my food for my 3-days of fun.  I didn’t think much about it at the time.  Heck, I’ve done this for the past 4 years.  Every year we’ve gotten smarter about what options provide the best balance of nutrition with quantity so we aren’t wilting within ½ hour after a meal.  While it isn’t what I’m used to, it’s a repeat, a sequel, the B-side … nothing new, or exciting.

This year, I was not prepared.

Shopping on such a paltry budget is near impossible.  Well, it is if you try to interject some kind of nutrition into your diet – something beyond starches and bland filler food.  The first year I did this, I think by day 3 was when my pallor started turning a wet-cement gray and by week’s end, I was just about as sludge-like.

So, I charged into Pick-N-Save, ready to fill my basket and move onto the next 3 things on my to-do list – prepared to check off my afternoon and move on with my life.  Somehow time stopped for one and one half hours – yeah, really – as I wandered aimlessly around that dang store looking, thinking, figuring, calculating, looking, picking, pacing, looking …

I wanted to prove to you, heh, well, mostly ME, that I could figure out this $3/day living thing and do it healthier than ever. My take, in the photo above, is after one and one half hours of plodding and plotting; as healthy as I could muster and a handful of snacky, chocolaty stuff  (what a waste of $$ THAT was!)

All told, honestly I missed the mark by $0.15. Those darn snacks. Would you believe that little bag cost $1.43! I thought, next time, not a chance. But it sure tasted good! Yep, I’ll buy ‘em again.

I stirred up a huge pot of wild brown rice mix and black beans and those were my lunches and dinners for all three days. Had a handful of green beans each day for lunch and the apples for each breakfast. I was somewhat balanced – better than in years past – but it is absolutely, undeniably, completely, ridiculously impossible to obtain proper levels of nutrition – 5 servings of fruits and veggies per day? Yeah, right.  Anything fresh – herbaceous or carnivorous – is ex-pen-sive.

The three days left me with a grumbly stomach – not from (a great) lack of nutrition – simply from quantity alone. No dinners with friends, no glasses of wine, no grazing or snacking.

I wasn’t prepared.

And it left me feeling inconvenienced. Lacking necessities really is inconvenient. And is anyone really prepared for being poor? Eventually one may get used to it – in some ways – but I don’t think anyone can be prepared for being in need. It’s a crushing blow – more than a grumbly stomach – it goes far deeper – physically and emotionally.

I am one of the lucky ones. I humbly and gratefully acknowledge that. I have a job and a warm home. I can put nutritious food on my table. What these three days have given me is a sense of gratitude for what I have and the desire to share what I have with others – whatever I can offer, I want to give. Don’t think I am any kind of want-to-be-saint – I am a regular joe who is caught up in a zillion-mile-per-hour life and this “desire to share” was born from a mild case of selfish inconvenience irritation.

Doing the Food Stamp Challenge reminds me and makes my belief more determined that food is not a convenience. Food is a right. For all.

I was actually looking forward to my $3 day – a little test but one having a definite end.  All sorts of memories of the mini-challenges that make up this larger Challenge came back one thought at a time.  My first thought of note was when I was packing my breakfast (apple with peanut butter – est. $0.30) and lunch (hot dog (veggie) & large carrot – est. $0.81) was my nutrition was going to plummet when having to do multiple days of this.  It always did in years past.  I think one year my skin pallor turned this cement-like shade of gray.

This thought stuck with me I was packing my food;  I recall walking through the aisles at Pick and Save, getting to the cereal aisle and saying to Rich, “we aren’t even half way through the store and we’ve already spent $30!  We don’t have a single vegetable or piece of fruit, no milk for the cereal and no meat.”  So my apple and carrot were huge successes of my day.  Yipee!

I had lunch with a co-worker and had to explain my odd plate of food.  He thought it was some sort of hot dog based cleanse.  Thinking about it, I guess in a sense (sans hot dog reference) it really is a kind of cleanse, don’t you think?  He listened intently and from what I could tell, was intrigued by the entire path and pursuit.  Our conversation wound it’s way back to the nutrition dilemma for those on Food Share.   We talked about Type II diabetes – it’s exponential rise, obesity, Food Inc. – the movie, dollar menus, wonder bread and Hi-C.  I told him about my grayness back in 2008.  The physical woes trickled back and I swear I felt that dull headache that stayed with me for the last 4 days back then.  I took a huge bite of my carrot and scowled.  I don’t like carrots that much but it’s a coveted vegetable and it was affordable – $3 bag that had 14 large carrots from the farmer’s market.  And it was all I had.

After work, I went to the gym for a short time then had a softball game.  Guess who’s thankful for that carrot now!  When 7:30 gametime rolled around I would have killed for another carrot!

I ate my dinner consisting of a black bean veggie burger ($1), a small handful of mixed green lettuce ($0.50) and 8 triscuits ($0.30+).  By my calculations (I am an engineer – we like to calculate), I ate exactly $3 in food yesterday.  And did it pretty nutritiously too!

But that’s only one day and I know it shouldn’t be that easy.

I also thought about fasting and the depth of spirituality to which people realize when done over a longer period of time.  I feel pretty inadequate at my little attempt (and publicly writing about it – oy!) and could I … should I do something a little ‘more?’  I wonder if I could reach some kind of different level of something.  I don’t have the answer.  I was not on track to fast today, that’s for sure.  But it is a thought and I wonder, I wonder …

I just checked my calendar and it looks like next Monday and Tuesday will be the $3 happy meal days next week.  Yes, again, those days fit in well with my schedule.  (Sigh)  At least I’m being honest.

Anyone want to join me?

I finally slept in; the week finally caught up to me – lousy diet, long week  – coupled with a freezing cold night, I slept well.  I skipped breakfast today - I know it’s not the smartest thing, but that was reality today.  By the time I got home from running my errands, I was grumbling in sync with my empty stomach.  The cupboard was glaringly bare (ugh) so I settled for a grilled peanut butter sandwich.  I thought about what I could do to distract myself from scavenging and repeatedly perusing and taunting my empty stomach and psyche with food I cannot have.   Dinner a few hours later was anything but satisfying and absolutely nothing worth looking forward to: leftover pasta, 2 potatoes and peas. 

I was angry the night going into our final day.  I blame it completely on lack of food and dissatisfaction, wholly and completely, of my food options.  A lot of whining and feeling sorry for myself, I know.  But if Rich and Bob could be honest about their cheating on meals, then I can at least share how I’m feeling, as pitiful as it is.

Day 7 – CROP Walk day!  The only thing now I have left to do is make it through this five mile run (actually much closer to 6) – something I haven’t done in, mmmmm, about a year … and fueled by a crummy diet … and coming of my second knee surgery 2 and a half months ago.   I shoveled in a bowl of oatmeal before heading out the door to mass at St. Hedwig’s then Rita’s to make one last push for support the walk.   

I had the absolute pleasure of running the entire way with Bob Schuelke, our fearless leader of human concerns at the parish.  Some would think he’d be a kind and caring sort, given the title of Director of Human concerns and all.  One would think he would take  to heart my participation in the Challenge, bum wheel and obvious lack of training … but I found myself being pushed through every Walk (and Don’t Walk) signal and only left with a sad look and no cup of water at the water station at St. Bens as he ran right by it.  On the opposite side of the street.  If he tries to tell you I was the “beast” (the word I believe he chose to use), do not, ever, believe a word he says. 

My week is complete, my “fast” is over.  Somehow the angry feelings are now mixed with guilt.  Guilt and disquiet.  Especially right now … sitting here at 11pm after shoveling in about a week’s worth of food in a couple short hours.  (Well, not quite a week; maybe 3 days.) 

The Food Stamp Challenge was and still is one of the most compelling excercises which one can partake.  Not only is it physically challenging but it forces you into a number of realizations and valuable moments of self discovery.  I realize that I still take many things I have for granted.  Many of my “needs” could be more accurately translated into “wants.”  My prayer of grace before meals are at times words only.  I could go on and on.  Every year, however, I re-discover things I’ve “forgotten” from the previous year but also uncover a few more that provide me with even deeper understanding of hunger and poverty.

My “week of being” poor ended with what I could only call a “celebration.”  I spent the entire length of CROP Walk with a good friend and great running partner immersed in entertaining conversation.  Afterwards we celebrated with a few fellow parishoners; many truly good, fascinating and wonderful people and were treated to a delicious selection of goodies by our parish’s Christian Women. 

I am grateful for everything I have.  That, being grateful, was my greatest takeaway from last year’s Challenge.  I am afforded many opportunities and am blessed with vital and basic things for which so many struggle daily.   This year reaffirms that, and even makes it even stronger.  This year I haven’t really had time to boil down my thoughts and moments of self discoveries.  I know the problem of poverty, of hunger, appears to be breeding at an exponential rate.  I know how I felt this week and no one should have to live like that.  I know I have the means and resources to do something about it.  And I will.  And hope you will join me.  

Rich:

Day 6 began with yet another bowl of corn flakes from a seemingly endless box. Today I’m feeling hungrier than usual today. Stomach is growling throughout the morning. I eat a bowl of oatmeal late morning. Our week’s supply of food is starting to run thin. For lunch I have a small potato. Too many carbs today and not enough protein…none actually.

For dinner, I have a veggie burger and two small potatos and some tasteless frozen peas. It’s a Saturday night and I’m really in the mood for a good meal, or even something not so healthy, like a big multi-topping pizza. Again, another night with no dessert, other than a couple of handfuls of Special K cereal.

Day 7 arrives. Get up early to do some last-minute fundraising for CROP Walk. I eat the last of the corn flakes and have some joy in tossing the empty box into the recycling bin. After securing a few generous donations, it’s time to head over to the lakefront for CROP Walk. The day has finally arrived. It’s becoming obvious that the small bowl of cereal I had six hours earlier isn’t going to be enough to get me through the walk, but I have no choice.

I spend the afternoon walking the 5.5-mile course with Bob and Jean De Vita. We brave the cool temperatures, but I begin to fade a little after about four miles. I’m hungry and tired and looking forward to a “real” meal later on in the evening.

The walk is a success. We make it through and head to Fr. Tim’s residence for some food. It’s strange. I’m so hungry and tired that I don’t have much of an appetite. The food is right in front of me, but I eat a couple of handfuls of chips and a brownie. Satisfies my craving for salt and sweet.

A few hours later I sit down for my first meal in a week where I didn’t have to think about measuring the food I ate or worrying about saving something for the next day.

At the same time, I take time to remember that the week I spent on the Food Stamp Challenge was just that…seven measly days of living with what many people have to live with every day of  their lives. Makes me feel weak in my heart and wishing I could do more to end hunger in our community.

Like I said yesterday, oatmeal as been my savior.  A bowl of gruel has been my staple in starting my day, taking me a lot farther than those store brand corn flakes.  Lunches have been a little different too; opting for a microwaved potato wtih butter over peanut butter sandwiches.  We are running low on bread so this is a nice warm (but small) lunch and gets me till about 3:00 when my stomach starts it’s protest.  Dinner was a few handfuls of cereal last night; had a softball game and no time for a decent meal.  Tonight was pasta with peas and veggie burgers with cheese.  

Thinking back to last year, I was so very muted – physically, mentally and emotionally; lacking mostly in my mental game.  This year, I think we did things a little differently.  Instead of saving half of bigger cooked meals for the next day, we ate until we were full.  Plus that first good meal was well placed in the week and helped fuel the next couple of days.  Tonight’s pasta was another filling meal and pretty well rounded, but we are dangerously low on protein sources and fruits and veggies.  One jar of peanut butter and one veggie burger to last till Sunday evening.  Hmmmm.

Admittedly I feel so much better than last year; the blah feeling is there but I don’t have the constant headache nor the significantly stunted emotional state.  I however have this feeling of being a blob as a result of too much oatmeal + potatoes + cereal + pasta.   I’ll continue the whining about lack of dessert – the ice cream sandwiches, container of cookies, candy bars – all are so tempting and I confess I’ve come within a millimeter of stealing just a bite – one little bite. 

I think this year’s CROP walk will be another great celebration, regardless of the winter weather that’s headed this way.  Looking forward to the day, running with my good friend Bob and finishing it all off with a get together at Fr. Tim’s.

Rich:

Began the day with yet another bowl of bland-tasting generic corn flakes. Gotta say, that’s getting a little old. By late morning, I’m feeling really hungry and during an hour-long staff meeting I can hear my stomach rumbling. I have a peanut butter sandwich for lunch with a few cherry tomatoes. Peanut butter is also getting old. I usually love it, but I’m growing tired of it now.

I’m craving snacks, candy, juice, anything different. The lack of variety in the diet is making my stomach hurt. It’s becoming obvious that I’m not getting nearly enough protein this week.

We play a softball game in the rain and I’m feeling a little, maybe a lot, sluggish. Hang out with friends afterward and get home late. Eat yet another bowl of cereal, which serves as my dinner for the day.

Friday begins with, you guessed it, a bowl of corn flakes. I’m craving a bowl of Count Chocula, Fruit Loops, any type of sugary kids cereal…anything but corn flakes.

For lunch I microwave two small potatoes and eat them with a few slices of cheese. I’m so bored with the food choices, but I know that’s what this experience is all about. The $3 per person per day for meals leaves no room for variety. It’s making me more grateful for what I have. I don’t know how people live like this on a daily basis.

For dinner I have pasta with butter and a veggie burger on the side. The protein of the veggie burger eases the craving in my body for something other than starch and carbs. It’s a couple hours after dinner and I’m feeling hungry again. Dessert consists of a couple of handfuls of Special K cereal. Man, a big bowl of ice cream would have been nice.

Just a couple days left. The end of  The Challenge is near, but for many people, there’s no end in sight.

I think oatmeal was the best purchase of the bunch (thanks, Megan!).  It gets me through the morning … even though there isn’t much to anticipate at lunchtime.  Today I had a baked (microwaved) potato and some more homegrown cherry tomatoes.   Dinner was a concoction of black beans, homegrown jalepenos and some spices (are those cheating?), rice and spinach; overall, the best meal yet. 

I find that I’m missing, really missing, the comforts of various snacks, juices and especially desserts.  Tonight would have been a great night to go out somewhere for dinner, have some wine … instead I am here with beans and another kind of  “whine.”

I think we did pretty good this year shopping-wise.  The only glaring omissions are the fruit and another loaf of bread.  We are really heavy on the starches & carbs: bread, potatoes, rice, cereal, pasta.  Great fillers but I think I’d trade the 2nd bag of rice and 2 boxes of mac & cheese for another loaf of bread, a couple pieces of fruit and a candybar. 

I’m starting to feel more blah and my concentration is beginning to wane.  Running was a chore this morning.  Then again, maybe that had something to do with the fact it was 5:30 a.m.  That fact could also have something to do with me being tired, tired, tired for most of the afternoon and tonight.   But it’s easy to blame it on this week. 

I think about those who work two or more jobs; those who may still be working long after I’m cozy on my couch, but living off of similar food budgets such as this.  Where does the energy come from?  How can someone function in such a muted state on a daily basis?  My “being poor” ends Sunday.  I know others do not have this finish line.  And that just isn’t right.

Rich:

The day began with me rushing around. Got up a little late and had to hurry to work. Best I could do was grab a plain peanut butter sandwich which I ate in the car on the way to the office.

It was deadline day at my newspaper, so I was tied up until mid-afternoon. Fought hunger pains and lightheadedness throughout most of the early afternoon. Consumed a lot of water but it didn’t suffice as a replacement for food. At a late lunch that consisted on a cheese sandwich and a handful of cherry tomatoes. Not too satisfying, I’ll be honest.

For dinner, ate meal of brown rice, black beans and spinach, probably the most nutritious meal I’ve had since starting The Challenge four days ago. I notice another major hole in my diet today. We didn’t have enough money left over in the Food Stamp allocation to buy any dessert foods. Been craving ice cream, chocolate, cake, cookies…something. But I’m coming to grips with the realities of a week without sweets.

I had an early start today and it was much more convenient to eat my peanut butter sandwich for breakfast in trade for oatmeal for lunch.  Dinner was leftover beans, rice and green breans.  Throw in some home grown cherry tomatoes and I actually think I did pretty well today.

I am feeling pretty empty and wiped out tonight, resulting effects of a decreased food intake and a 12+ hour day.  What I’m really craving – something we completely forgot - is fruit.  I’m wondering what “trade” we could have made at the store … maybe that second bag of rice?  And the other box of mac and cheese?  Even for a couple pieces of fruit … I can’t believe we forgot it! 

I find myself rationalizing a lot more about what could be considered cheating as opposed to what is not.  Last year, unequivocally, there were no excuses and it was easy to walk away.  Proudly, I haven’t talked myself into anything “extra” but admittedly, it’s a LOT more difficult this year, for whatever reason.  It’s only Tuesday.  Sunday is miles away.

I’m in the beginning stages of what I remember from last year; that blah, muted, gray feeling that I mentioned before.  I know all too well what the rest of this week’s days hold in store and once again, I can’t believe people live with this feeling.  This empty, cold, gray feeling that permeates everything.

Rich:

Began the day with a bowl Special K fruit and yogurt cereal. Seemed extra tasty compared with the generic corn flakes I ate yesterday. Already noticing a constant feeling of hunger in my stomach, which growls and gurgles throughout the day.

Had a busy morning at work and didn’t have time to run home for lunch as planned, so I accepted a good friend and co-worker’s offer to buy me lunch. Had a piece of pizza, which I know didn’t fit into the original plan, but I tried not to go overboard with a huge lunch.

As the day progressed, even with pizza in my belly, I noticed that by mid-afternoon I was already fantasizing about my next meal. I work at a weekly business newspaper and Tuesdays tend to be busy days as we approach deadline. Didn’t have the energy I normally do and I stayed at work late, thinking about how great  big meal would be.

For dinner I had a potato and a veggie burger (no bun, couldn’t afford any on the Food Stamp allotment. Another thing that’s becoming evident. There was no money available for any types of drinks, so the only liquid I’ve been consuming has been water.

Dinner wasn’t filling so shortly after finishing the meal I found myself at the cupboard eating a handful of dry cereal. Several days to go and I’m already feeling very challenged and a little frustrated with the challenge. Hope I have the strength to finish.

Breakfast: Corn Flakes

Lunch:  Peanut butter sandwich and some homegrown cherry tomatoes & carrots

Dinner: Brown rice, baked beans and frozen green beans

I had forgotten how bland every thing tastes during the Challenge.  It looks as beige as it tastes.  However, today was pretty well balanced, to the extent that we could cook up.  It was also not that minimalistic, just not what I wanted.

I have been spoiled by farmer’s market veggies so the bowl of frozen green beans was disappointing, to put it nicely.  However in looking at my week ahead I know I need to at least attempt a nutritional balance somehow.

I realize how my daily milestones are defined by food; how I reward my small accomplishments with a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.  By 2:00, my stomach was in full revolt.  Knowing dinner was hours away, I took my billionth sip of water and went back to work.  

I have food and I have a decent job.  I have a warm home and convenient means of transportation.  I should consider myself lucky and welcome this challenge.  This should not be difficult but I know I have regressed into taking many of my conveniences for granted.   I’ve become complacent and once again, the line between want and need has become gray and blurred.  I know this week will re-awaken my senses and help me see that line more clearly and return to living with more understanding and compassion.

Rich:

Day two began with a breakfast of store-brand corn flakes. Very bland. Didn’t really give me the energy I was looking for, but again, it’s food and many are without and I’m thinking about them.

Lunch is a meal consisting of a plain peanut butter sandwich with a small helping of leftovers from last night’s meal. Already feeling the strange feelings in my stomach that come from not eating a balanced diet. I eat lunch early and by mid-afternoon I can hear my stomach growling as I sit at my desk at work. The growling doesn’t subside.

I play softball tonight and the emotion of a close game makes me forget the sparse amount of energy I have.

Dinner consists of a serving of brown rice, baked beans and bland frozen green beans. Only through my first full day of the Challenge and I’m already looking forward to the weekend. This seems far more difficult this year, but I know there are many more people going hungry as a result of the prolonged recession. I had three meals today. Thousands didn’t.

I have to admit, the excitement and feelings of embarking on a new learning adventure that preceded last year’s Challenge are anything but this year.

2009 we find ourselves in the midst of a lousy economy and everyone is feeling the effects.  Rich and I are among the lucky who still have jobs.  As resources are cut, responsibilities  have increased four-fold.  We are working more hours yet assuming more duties for the same or less money.  This is not a complaint but leads in to my feelings of anxiety toward this year’s Challenge.  I want to say that I don’t have the time nor energy this year.  I want to say that my head is not in it and I don’t have the mental fortitude this year.  I don’t want to be ‘poor’ this year. 

However, that’s exactly why I am doing it. 

The cupboard is (hopefully) stocked a little smarter this year.  The old familiar store-brand Corn Flakes take up most of the shelf.  As do the bags of rice and huge jar of store-brand peanut butter.  Sliding right back into last year’s habits, a few spoonfuls of peanut butter became my ‘appetizer’ while preparing a box of Cheddar Pasta-Roni and can of green peas. 

Tomorrow will be the first real test.  $3 in 2009 will not get me what it did in 2008.  Confessing again, how I felt last year from about the 3rd day on is something I definitely am NOT looking forward to; the mental and physical fatigue from lack of nutrition, the sluggishness and grayness of my mood and energy levels. 

Once again, these things are why I am doing this.  I am thankful everyday for what I have and hope to continue the fight against hunger and poverty so those who feel the “grayness” on a daily basis do not have to.

Rich:

I enter into this year’s Challenge already knowing what’s in store, since I took part in this last year. The excitement that came with a new challenge isn’t there this year. I know how I’m going to feel and the challenges that remain in the days ahead.

We started the Challenge with our evening meal. Had a bland serving of store-brand mac and cheese and frozen peas. Not exactly a gourmet meal but it’s food nonetheless and I’m grateful for that.

I was soooo excited this morning; excited that today is CROP day and we can finally, finally, finally eat!  We felt a twinge of guilt having cheated last Sunday (we were at a wedding that offered brunch) so we extended our “fasting” till lunchtime.  I awoke this morning spent, but mentally my edge was sharper in knowing that today was a day of thanks, growing and giving (and eating!!!).

The majority of my morning and afternoon was spent performing CROP Walk related activities; including signing people up and gathering money right up until we were given the go-ahead to hit the road!   I was so focused on the minute details and organizing all of the paperwork let alone working all three masses that I negelected to eat (how is that possible?!?!!?!).  I had planned on running the 5.5 mile route with Bob (Schuelke) and was honestly concerned for myself minutes before we took off wondering if I had enough in the tank to make it downtown, let alone to Marquette and back to the lagoon!  I secretly prayed that Bob was up on his 1st aid and outdoor rescue training!  (FYI – I survived just fine – no EMTs necessary (whew!))

I feel like I’ve opened up a part of myself this week that normally isn’t given the opportunity to spend time in public.  The driving reason, the only reason for this is that this Food Stamp Challenge proved to be so much more of an enlightening, significant and life-defining event, it’s hard not to attempt to share it with others.  The very last thing I want to do is to preach and be overbearing but I cannot dismiss the chance to tell all of you what this week has meant to me.  As I ate my first real “dinner” tonight at our favorite restaurant, we said a prayer of thanks – our usual pre-meal prayer – but this time feeling the words and not just saying them. 

It amazes me how life can change in seven days.  What started for me simply as a “fun” project in conjunction with CROP Walk turned me inside out.   After the walk, I made a list in my head of things I am thankful for:

People who I know as friends provided support in ways that I do not know if they can comprehend.  Each and every e-mail or post we received gave us the strength and courage to finish this Challenge.  Those of you who gave us in-person verbal support every single day helped us persevere.  Your visible concern and interest drove us to be successful.  Beth, Greg, Joe, Tim, Megan, Jim and Mark:  your words and encouragement you wrote gave us daily strength as we read and re-read your posts or rewound the conversations in our minds and drew from your support.  Johnny, Laurie, Dan,  Jim & Bill: you give us confidence and the strength to continue working for what we so very strongly believe in and from your words we draw courage and fortitude to keep working.  Your love makes it so much more meaningful.  Bob, Danelle and Kathy:  we admire each of you for who you are.  We try to model our kindness and compassion after your examples and think the world of each of you.  We are so very proud to be working with you and to have you in our lives.  To all of the CROP walkers, sponsors and supporters at Three Holy Women: this event today would not have been so successful without your caring hearts and compassion.  Some of our most happy moments are when we actually get to meet the familiar faces and talk to you.  We are grateful to be a part of the Three Holy Women family.  Finally, to Fathers Brian and Tim:  We do our work because of each of you.  We, like many, if not all in your parish family are so inspired by your unending supply of energy and consideration for all of humanity.  Our parish is home and that is because of you.  We are proud to be a part of this community and hope to make a positive difference every single day.

I have learned that there is hope.  People may not be as forthcoming with their emotions and support as we’d like, but it is there.  There is so much goodness and kindness in our community.  I have never been so thankful for who I have in my life and what gifts have been given to me.  This Food Stamp Challenge has changed me.  I am more thankful and I am more forgiving.  But I am also more intent on fighting and battling.  Hunger is insidious.  Hunger is destructful.  It took me seven days and $42 dollars, but I finally get it. 

Peace and wellness to all.  Thank you so much.

Rich:  Crop Walk finally arrived today and the weather and enthusiasm couldn’t have been better. What a picture-perfect day. I finished up my Food Stamp Challenge by eating a breakfast consisting of leftover rice and a glass of water. Attended both masses Sunday morning to drum up more support for Crop Walk and the generosity of our parishoners was moving. Many people donated money before and after mass today.

We had many last-minute sign-ups for Crop Walk today, and I’m sure the weather helped, as well as Fr. Brian’s plea for support. Ann and I have been overwhelmed at everyone’s willingness to participate in the walk, as well as donations of money and food. This was a life-altering experience for both of us and I truly mean it. I will never underestimate the destruction caused by hunger and personal toll it takes on individuals and family. It’s been a mission of our parish to address the problem of hunger, in our own small way, and now I’m acutely aware why we do this. For those in our community that work each and every day to address the problem, our respect runs deep and always will.

The most moving moment came outside of St. Rita’s when a gentleman of modest means approached us witih a plastic bag in hand, wanting to make sure we received his food donation for Crop Walk, which consisted of a single can of food. This meant as much to us as any of the donations we received over the past few weeks and is a sign of what our fellow parishoners will do just to get involved.

Ann and Bob Schuelke decided to use today’s Crop Walk as a training program, running the 5.5-mile route. In the meantime, I walked the long route at first with Fr. Brian, which proved a wonderful opportunity to get to know him. I spent the remainder of the walk cruising at a brisk pace with Fr. Tim and Kathy Kehm. Really enjoyed the opportunity to have some uninterrupted time with both of these wonderful people. Kathy is still in the midst of her Food Stamp Challenge. Please check back to the blog for possible updates on her progress over the next couple of days.

The post-walk party at Fr. Tim’s was another great opportunity to spend time with many of the great people that attend Three Holy Women.

Sunday night, I got to eat my first “real” meal in more than a week. Ann and I celebrated my birthday at Palermo Villa, our favorite Italian spot on the East Side.

Prior to heading out for dinner, I took a long shower and the emotion of this past week and this incredible day overwhelmed me. I was completely overcome with a variety of emotions, ranging from incredible happiness for all of the great people that took part in the Crop Walk experience and supported us in our mission this week. I was also overcome with overwhelming sadness over the havoc hunger is wreaking on our community and the deeper sense of the problem we gained this week. I know I will never again say, “I’m starving,” knowing that for some in our community, that’s not far from the truth.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the people who shared there deep, personal feelings and emotions they experiened while taking part in the Food Stamp Challenge. My respect for Danelle, Bob and Kathy runs incredibly deep. You’re all wonderful people and it’s an honor to know  you all.

We’ll continue to keep the blog open for a few days. Please feel free to blog about your own Crop Walk experiences. We’ll also have an update on how much money was pledged and what we’ve raised to this point.

And to Fr. Tim and Fr. Brian, thank you for all you do for our parish and for your intimate involvement in this endeavor.

As great as this year was, we have even more ideas for next year and plan to work even harder to make this event a success.

Peace to all and God Bless.