Food stamps cover purchase of food, beverages and food-producing seeds or plants. They cannot be used to buy non-food items, such as pet food, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, vitamins or non-prescription medicine, hot foods or any other food intended to eat in the store.

The Thrifty Food Plan assumes people relying on food stamps have access to an operational kitchen, have time and knowledge to prepare meals from scratch, know about nutrition and have inexpensive transportation to a warehouse-type grocery store or discount supermarket.

Other Challenge guidelines:

• All food purchased and eaten during the challenge week, including fast food and dining out, must be included in the total spending.

• During the Challenge, only eat food purchased for the project. Do not eat food that is already owned (this does not include spices and condiments.)

• Avoid accepting free food.

Those participating in the Challenge will mark the conclusion of the challenge by having lunch Friday at Food and Shelter for Friends.

“In Norman, we are fortunate to have many generous social service agencies and faith-based organizations that are working to assist families in need, but we can all become more aware of the challenges of hunger in our community,” Rosenthal said.

To sign up for the Challenge, go to www.hungerinoklahoma.org. The Web site also has tips for eating on $21 a week.

Carol L. Cole

366-3538

ccole@normantranscript.com