First day done, six to go—but who’s counting.  I am.  I am one of the lucky ones who can have a count down unlike our clients who have to be very creative and yes, somewhat desperate to make ends meet.

I actually will put one of their tricks to task since I decided NOT to buy catsup at the grocery—if I need any, I will raid some packets at some fast food restaurants, the same with salt and pepper.  Hey, catsup was over a dollar.

They say that misery loved company.  Not that taking the challenge is misery, but it did help to have some fellow shoppers with me—real troopers.  Rachel Storch and Jeff Smith who are in the state legislature, along with Attilio D’Agostino are three people that decided to take the plunge. 

Rachel came prepared with calculator in hand.   I, on the other hand , was trying to figure the running total in my head.   The gray matter ain’t what it used to be.  And of course, when I go to checkout, I placed the items in order of importance, and had to put back a box of ‘mac and cheese,’ along with applesauce, yogurt, and ice cream sandwiches.  Seen as treats or rewards—I do have a sweet tooth at times—but stuff I could and should live without…well at least the ice cream, but they are a source of calcium, right?

Before I started my challenge, I was a bit anxious but also a bit cocky—this will be a piece of cake—pardon the pun…but last night watching David Letterman…I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side and cancel at the very last minute…the hunger pangs were getting the best of me.  Not wanting to really fix anything since I am culinary challenged to begin with, I ate half an apple knowing that I had carefully planned to have at least one apple a day.  With most best laid plans, that will probably change since my goal is now in jeopardy.  Wonder what will happen tonight…maybe I should just go to bed early.

Yesterday was especially tough, or I am trying to convince myself of that.   I didn’t have anything to eat before my shopping ‘spree’ so I skipped breakfast.  I had my first peanut butter and jelly sandwich since grade school.  And it tasted good, or I was just hungry.  I don’t know which.  The true test will be today (Day 2) when I have the same thing.

What’s for dinner?  I wish beef but beef is out of the question at least for 7 days, and who knows after this experience I may tone it down a bit.  So it was tuna and crackers.  And have you read any food labels lately?  A 6-ounce can is 2 and ½ servings?  Give me a break!!!  For those counting calories, beware.

One of the bright spots yesterday was a random meeting with one of our former clients unbeknownst to me at the time.  When we were getting off the bus, an African-American woman came up to me and asked if she knew me.  She had sunglasses on so I didn’t think so, but she swore she’d seen me somewhere.  Well, that certainly narrowed it down.  She asked me where I worked, and somewhat hesitant I said that I work for a charity (really hate that term, but I figured it would make more sense at the time) and that we feed people who are sick.  She said, “That’s it!  I knew you looked familiar; I came to Food Outreach a year and a half ago because I really fell on hard times.  God bless, you got me through it.  Having you guys there was a real help since I had one less worry.  My life was really crap, but I knew that I would have enough food.  Haven’t been back for a while, but I never forget a face.”

She and our 1,500+ clients make the challenge worth it.

Leave a Reply