Could You Live on a Weekly Grocery Budget of $31.50?

Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter and United States Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, will see how far they can stretch $31.50 to buy a week's worth of groceries Monday at Ferndale Foods.

The men will get a view of the struggle millions of low-income Americans face during the SNAP/Food Stamp Challenge, according to a press release.

"The average food stamp benefit – also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – in Michigan is just $135.84, hence the dollar limit imposed during the challenge," the press release says.

Members from Gleaners Community Food Bank, Forgotten Harvest and the United Way also will participate.
 
A House bill set to be voted on the week of June 17 would cut $20 billion from SNAP, eliminating assistance to approximately 1.8 million people and drastically reducing benefits for nearly 500,000 people, according to the press release.