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June 8, 2018 | Around the NASRCC, In the Community

LU 346 Business Rep to Take Part in SNAP Challenge


This month, Congress will be pushing to update the Farm Bill, which governs policy that affects farms and food. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) is part of the Farm Bill and is in danger of being cut drastically. To bring awareness to the importance of SNAP for people at risk of hunger, organizations across Massachusetts are coordinating a “SNAP Challenge.” LU 346 Business Rep John Manning will be taking part in the challenge.

“I was on the phone with State Representative Jim Hawkins and he asked me if I’d be interested in joining him in this challenge and I thought I had the opportunity to learn a lot by walking in someone else’s shoes so I committed to join him in the challenge,” said Manning.

“I’ve been fortunate as an 18-year member of the Carpenters union. I’ve made a very good living and always have been able to provide for my family. I live within a budget, of course, but I can’t imagine only having $23 to purchase food for the week.”

From Monday, June 11th to Friday, June 15th, participants will live on the average individual SNAP allowance in Massachusetts ($4.56 per day) to afford everything they eat and drink for the week.

“I hope my participation in this challenge can raise awareness of how necessary this resources is to people struggling to make ends meet.”

The SNAP Challenge is an action in solidarity with the millions of low-income Americans for whom SNAP is a vital resource. Participants will learn how difficult it is to afford nutritious food, to stay healthy, and to avoid hunger. They’ll be encouraged to consider what life would be like if the benefit weren’t available, if they had even less to spend.

Help us support Brother Manning by commenting on and sharing our daily posts chronicling his week. #MASNAPChallenge