Oregon Trail: SNAP Challenge isn’t optional

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and 25 participating members of U.S. Congress are taking the SNAP Challenge this week, as related on ThinkProgress.org.

To draw attention to House Republicans cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (in Oregon, “Oregon Trail”) participating U.S. representatives are trying to live off less than $4.50 per day for food and drink, based on an average benefit of $31.50 per week.

“The program’s eligibility requirements already leave out 50 million food insecure households, but another 2 million Americans would lose access to food stamps in the proposed changes for the Farm Bill.”

In May 2009, about 602,000 Oregonians in 313,000 households received food benefits, according to Oregon.gov. The average monthly benefit was about $250 per household.

I encourage Second District Rep. Greg Walden, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley to take the SNAP Challenge and urge them to fight for Oregon Trail. The SNAP Challenge isn’t optional for Oregon Trail recipients.