Submitted by Dani Bergman Chudnow (age 13)

I think what I have learned most about living life on a “food stamp” budget with my father (Steve Chudnow) is that not only is it hard to eat on the limited amount of food, but possibly even harder to watch others enjoy certain food luxuries (fresh fruits, chips, other refreshments like soda or juice and much more than I ever imagined) that you cannot enjoy. Many of my favorite fruits and veggies are out of the question, due to the price, like all berries or even broccoli!

Organic Milk was so expensive, and the food stamp budget did not permit yogurt of any kind. Eating out or ordering in was, well, outrageously expensive compared to the $1.50 we were allotted.

When I explained to friends why I couldn’t buy the same candy they were buying (and enjoying for that matter), they were all extremely supportive. However, I was horrified when I imagined a child like myself on food stamps having to explain to friends why they can’t indulge in a chocolate bar.

At my Middle School, students are allowed to go out for lunch. We sometimes go and get a slice of pizza or a bagel and a drink, and sometimes we even go for sushi. I always enjoyed this Middle School privilege but I didn’t consider how lucky I am! For others though, free lunches are the way they make it through the day.

In my school, people can even have free breakfasts. My guess is that there are many kids who depend on these “free meals” so they aren’t hungry. These free meals are an essential part of their lives and when Hurricane Sandy swept in and closed schools for a week (and more in some spots), I wonder what these kids did to feed themselves.  

Worrying about how you are going to eat seems insane, and ridiculous is definitely another word that comes to mind. I have been relying on my school to provide me with lunch for the first few days of this challenge and, even with that help, I just hope that we will have enough food left over to eat a healthy lunch on Saturday and Sunday.  I have never had to think so much about food before.

I have also found myself more tired in the morning than usual, and waking up hungrier than usual, which has resulted in me devouring my food. I ate my rice so quickly at dinner that I choked!

How hard it must be for a kid who relies on food stamps to have to watch as other kids grab a bite at any local restaurant or deli. As I prepared to play in the City All-Star Soccer game, I thought to myself, should I eat a Luna Bar before I play? If I eat it, what will I have left to snack on for the rest of the week? Can I do without it?

I will now look at weekends, snow days and school closures differently. For me, the excitement of having an unexpected vacation day has always been a great gift. Now I will also know, for some kids, the day home will require missing two “free” meals at school.

Read more clergy and congregant posts about this challenge