Food Stamps Unused - 2007 Food Stamp Challenge

This year, 249,593 Coloradans will get food stamps. Last year they spent $323 million using food stamps, according to the USDA.

The department acknowledges that applying for food stamps takes time. Applicants must fill out a 21-page form, which takes at least eight hours, according to USDA research.

Once accepted into the program, they receive the benefit within seven to 30 days, but in some cases it may amount to only $10 a month.

Liz McDonough, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Human Services, said people are reluctant to apply for three reasons:

• They don't think they are eligible so don't bother to apply.

• They worry they don't have the right kind of identification.

• Senior citizens are reluctant to go through all the paperwork.

2007 Food Stamp Challenge

• When: Today - National Hunger Awareness Day

• The challenge: Surviving a week on $25 in food ($3.57 a day), the average food budget of a stamp recipient.

• Participants: Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver Human Services manager Roxane White, KWGN Channel 2 anchor Ernie Bjorkman and others.

• How it works: Participants eat on only $25 for a week. They keep a food diary and contribute to a blog.

• Web site: colochallenge.blogspot.com

• Recent high-profile participants: Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski; and four members of Congress

• Hickenlooper's first day: The mayor learned he was participating at the last minute Sunday and didn't have time to shop for food Monday. When the Rocky caught up with him late Monday afternoon, he said he missed breakfast and had little to eat at noon.

• Quote: "I had lunch today with a couple Level III executives at the Ship's Tavern and there's nothing on the menu under $3. All I could eat was the free bread, although the Brown Palace did bring a little shot glass of peanut butter."

• The mayor's dinner Monday night: Ramen soup

• Roxane White's first day: "I bought a jar of peanut butter, a bag of potatoes, seven bananas on sale and pre-packaged soup mixes for lunch, because they were on sale for under $1 each."

Rocky Mountain News