Why Participate in the SNAP Challenge?

Could you get the nutrition you need on just $6 a day? That is the daily reality for more than 40 million people across the country who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger for people with low incomes. This federal program provides benefits to eligible people to purchase food at grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers.

Although the SNAP benefit is vital to the individuals and families who participate, the average SNAP benefit is not enough for most people to have an adequate and healthy diet. The SNAP Challenge offers a glimpse of the struggle millions of people with low incomes face daily to obtain nutritious food.

By attempting to live on the average SNAP benefit, SNAP Challenge participants find themselves forced to make food shopping choices on a limited budget and learn how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, stay healthy, and be focused on work, school, and taking care of family.

By participating in the SNAP Challenge, you will:

• raise awareness of hunger in your community,
• promote the need to increase SNAP benefits, and
• get the attention of Congress to protect SNAP.

While living on a SNAP budget for a few days cannot come close to the struggles encountered by families wrestling with all of the issues that come with poverty, your participation will help you gain a new perspective, greater understanding, and more compassion.

Nevada Districts with most SNAP Households

District 1 (Amodei)- Total Households (287,239); 46,284 on SNAP (16.1 percent)

District 4 (Horsford)- Total Households (276,224); 41,193 on SNAP (14.9 percent)

District 2 (Titus)- Total Households (310,163); 31,102 on SNAP (10 percent)

District 3 (Lee)- Total Households (309,767); 27,524 on SNAP (8.9 Percent)

Congressional Recess Action Alert

The upcoming congressional recess (March 15–23) will be a great time to engage and involve Members of Congress in the SNAP Challenge, March 18–20.

Here are some different ways your congregation can engage in the various challenge activities:

• Participate in the challenge;
• Take part in a SNAP Shop;
• Host a community roundtable conversation with your congregation along with those taking the challenge and current or former SNAP recipients.