South Dakotans challenged to eat on $25 a week

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Monday, November 17, 2008

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Food comforts us, nourishes us, sustains us and does much more. But the cost of eating for many families in Rapid City and western South Dakota is a daily struggle for a limited income.

To demonstrate the difficulty, the Community Food Banks of South Dakota challenges you to eat for a week on $25.

"It shows people what it would be like to live on a very limited budget," said Monica Leitheiser, site manager of the Community Food Banks of South Dakota on North Maple Avenue.

The challenge is part of Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week in South Dakota.

That $25 limit is the average per person food stamp allotment for eligible households in South Dakota.

"A majority of people are on food stamps that we serve, but they just run out before the end of the month," Leitheiser said.

Often housing, medicines and other costs use up the household's cash income, she said.

In the challenge, a person is allowed to spend only $25 on food and beverages during the week for the total food intake, which includes all fast food and dining out. The costs won't include sales tax because food stamp purchases are not taxed.

People taking the challenge are not to eat food they already own or accept food gifts from others.

"This is a chance to find out how to piece together a healthy diet like other people in our community. I think it is pretty interesting," Leitheiser said.

As tough as this might sound, she points out that this year's average is up $4 for a year ago.

The kick-off for local food drives within Rapid City has seen an increase, too. As food barrels are delivered to local grocers and department stores, the food pantry received delivery from two of its top contributors.

Last Friday's KOTA Care & Share bagel giveaway saw the downtown broadcasters reward donors with bagels and coffee. In turn, people donated $6,828.46 and 743 cans of food -- up from $4,747.96 and 518 cans of food last year.

At special events and other times throughout the year, Crazy Horse Memorial collects food in lieu of admission.

The collections so far this year totaled 41,478 pounds of food and $26,613.26 for the Care & Share Food Drive. That helps the food bank and Church Response, Leitheiser said.

The donations of money go farther than donations of food because the food banks can buy food as cheaply as 10 pounds for the dollar.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.

To Help

To get involved, send a tax-deductible check to Community Food Banks of South Dakota, 814 N. Maple Ave., Rapid City, SD 57701, or donate nonperishable, canned drygoods at the above address or holiday food barrels in most grocery stores throughout Rapid City.

Items needed include crackers, jelly, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruits, juice, ketchup, canned meats, pasta sauce, pasta dinners (boxed or canned), rice, rice dinners, snacks, coffee, tea, baking mixes (cake, muffin, bread), flour, sugar (white, powdered, brown), cereal, canned tomatoes, diapers, laundry detergent, laundry dryer sheets, paper goods (paper towels, napkins), personal hygiene products, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, lotion, hand soap, grocery gift cards and any amount of cash.