Take the SNAP Challenge
Dear Community Partner,
On behalf of Manna Food Center, the Montgomery County Food Council, and Maryland Hunger Solutions I’d like to invite you to participate in the 2025 MoCo SNAP Challenge, which we are organizing in conjunction with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) in response to recent discussions about potential cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposed cuts could bring benefits back to the same levels they were the last time County officials participated in such a challenge more than a decade ago, or about $4.80 per person per day.
The SNAP Challenge invites participants to shop, cook, and eat for a set period of time on the current average monthly SNAP benefit, which is currently only $6.00 per day per person for food. By taking part in this challenge, you will gain a firsthand understanding of the struggles faced by individuals and families trying to make ends meet on such limited resources.
The challenge is scheduled for March 18-20. Throughout the challenge document your experience and share on social media using: #MoCoSNAPChallenge #SNAPChallenge25 and #HandsOffSNAP.
As a leader who plays a critical role in shaping policies that affect the well-being of your constituents, your participation would send a powerful message about the importance of maintaining and strengthening programs like SNAP and show solidarity with nearly 70,000 Montgomery County residents who currently depend on these benefits to feed themselves and their families.
FRAC is keeping track of participation by state, so let them know you’re participating here. Your involvement is greatly appreciated and will help bring attention to the importance of ensuring that SNAP benefits continue to be the most valuable tool we have to combat food insecurity in our County, in the state of Maryland and across the country.
Sincerely,
Craig Rice
CEO
Manna Food Center
Jessica Synkoski
Board Chair
Montgomery County Food Council
LaMonika Jones
Director
Maryland Hunger Solutions
Check out the SNAP Challenge Toolkit for more information.
How to Take the Challenge:
- Plan to spend the average SNAP benefit as your budget for 5 days. That amount is $22 for all food and beverages.
- All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week must be included in the total spending.
- During the Challenge, only eat food that you purchase for the project. Do not eat food that you already own (this does not include spices and condiments).
- Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions, briefings, or other events where food is served (with the exception of food eaten at public places where anyone could eat, e.g., a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, etc.).
- Invite others to join you, including co-workers, reporters, chefs, or elected officials.
While living on a SNAP budget for just a week cannot come close to the struggles encountered by low-income families week after week and month after month, it does provide those who take the Challenge with a new perspective and greater understanding of why SNAP benefits need to be improved.
