Day 7: I've made it!

This last day I did my best to finish all the rest of the food I had left over from my Grocery trip to the Dollar Tree. I made myself one last peanut butter sandwich and finished off the last of the crackers. I had the last frozen dinner, fried rice with chicken.

And suddenly I was I was all out of food just in time for the end of the last night.
With only a few hours left I reflected on the experience and am truly glad I participated. This challenge opens up your eyes to a world that I, myself, never thought all that much about. I know from now on when I go to grab food from Dhall or my fridge I will be utterly thankful as well as prepared to give back in any way I can, for example I plan on saving a good portion of my dinning dollars also known as fake money for the end of the semester when ETC has a food drive and use the money on people who really can benefit from it.  A few of the other things I have realized and acknowledged during this week include:

1. The amount of food I consume on a regular day to day basis could be split in half and be enough food for a grown man 
2. Had I planned better and thought more about the quality of food rather than the quantity I was getting I could have eaten a lot healthier and potentially better tasting food this week.
3. Continuing on that, when finding your next meal is a constant struggle planning meals and getting food at the lowest prices is crucial to staying healthy.
4. I realized how truly lucky I was to grow up never thinking about where my next meal was coming from and being use to food just appearing in my always packed refrigerator.
5. I also know that I had never felt real hunger. As often as I would complain that I'm am starving that has thankfully never really been the case. I had glimpses of real hunger throughout the week but there was always something there to satisfy it eventually. Real hunger is having nothing to eat and nowhere to get food from.
6. It is so important to give back to those in need because you never know what can happen. In a twist of fate I could easily end up in a tough situation similar to those who rely on the SNAP program. 

As happy as I am to be finished with the challenge and enjoy the ice cream that has been waiting for me to eat all week long,  I vow to be more conscious about the amount of food I buy and consume as well as notice the quality. I also encourage all to try the SNAP challenge for even just a few days to really open your mind and broaden your perspectives on the world around you.

Happy end to the SNAP challenge!!!