Food Stamp Challenge Week 4 – The End?
July 15, 2008 § 3 Comments
David Davenport, President & CEO – Unlike the recent New Yorker cover, sometimes there’s truth in humor.
Mike Smith - Las Vegas Sun - July 11, 2008
I stepped on the scale on Monday, and my heart sank. My weight dropped below the lower weight limit set by my doctors. Despite my fevered addiction to peanut butter and Ritz Crackers, I could not keep the weight I needed to continue the Food Stamp Challenge. Unfortunately, I must stop the Challenge. With a total weight loss of 18 pounds, four pounds beyond what my doctors allowed, I know I’m in for some serious discussion at my next doctor’s visit.
Trust me when I say there will be little celebration this evening. I am not happy about this decision; especially since I was a mere four days short of making the entire month.
So how do I feel now? Frankly, a little ashamed. For the past month, I was motivated by the extraordinary strength and courage of the families I met living with food-insecurity. I was inspired by stories of success and struggle from my colleges at Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Meals on Wheels and More as I traveled with them the first week of the challenge. I was uplifted by the many emails, blog comments, and phone calls from friends and concerned community members. I had the council of medical experts at my fingertips. How many food-insecure people have access to this kind of support? But amidst all of this passion and support, I couldn’t finish the job.
To those who have supported me through this endeavor, thank you. Your kind words delivered me this far, and I appreciate every one of them.
Please stay tuned for more. I have much more to say.
Capital Area Food Bank of Texas Blog 
When I was pregnant, I went on WIC to supplement the pantry and at first was amazed at how much you got (all that milk and cheese! the peanut butter!), but I quickly realized how far it got you. We were lucky enough to have a steady income to buy stuff to fill in the gaps, but many food-insecure people don’t have that.
Thank you for sharing your story. Would you mind if I posted a summary of your experience on my Austin American-Statesman food blog?
David, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You should be proud of yourself for at least trying.
I think it’s great that you took on this challenge. It takes a lot of effort to give up eating foods you could afford to demonstrate to people the difficulty of living off food stamps alone. I believe this sends a great message. Thank you!