November 15, 2006

Tonight marked the end of MACAA's three day poverty diet program.

The program aimed to teach people the difficulties of eating on $2.83 a day, the amount that food stamps allows for a person in poverty. Participants say the experience taught them just how hard living on that small amount of money is.

"We've learned that it is very difficult to put together nutritious meals on that kind of money. We've learned that if you are buying fresh fruits and vegetables you quickly use up your food stamp allotment. It is very difficult to live on such little money," said Connie Jorgensen.

Organizers say they challenge people to try this during any three day period. They are already beginning to organize the poverty diet for next year.