Vermont Business Magazine This week is National Hunger and Homelessness week and Vermonters across the state are participating in the 3SquaresVT Challenge to help raise awareness about the challenges of eating healthfully on a limited food budget and the importance of protecting 3SquaresVT (formerly known as Food Stamps and known nationally as SNAP). Participants can take the Challenge for the whole week, a day, or a meal — approximately $37 for the week for one person, $5.29 for a day, or $1.76 per meal. The purpose of the Challenge is not to emulate the reality of food insecurity for Vermonters — many of whom may rely on a variety of programs and resources to meet their families’ needs — but to instead draw attention to the experience of living on a strict food budget and how that may or may not change your daily life both physically and psychologically as a participant.
WHAT: Vermonters take the 3SquaresVT Challenge and eat on a limited budget for a week to learn about hunger in their community
WHEN: November 13th – 19th as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
WHERE: In communities and households across Vermont
2016 marks the 52nd anniversary of 3SquaresVT, which has successfully decreased hunger in Vermont and across the nation, lifting millions of Americans out of poverty and creating a pathway to food security and economic self-sufficiency. Currently, about 78,000 Vermonters participate in the program, but many more are eligible for this benefit.
Source: Hunger Free Vermont: Hunger Free Vermont is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to end the injustice of hunger and malnutrition for all Vermonters. Since 1993 Hunger Free Vermont’s outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net and increased access to nutritious foods. www.hungerfreevt.org