November 22nd, 2012
10:53 AM ET
5 years ago
Newark Mayor Cory Booker to live on food stamp budget
New York (CNNMoney) - Newark Mayor Cory Booker rescued a neighbor from a burning building, invited Hurricane Sandy victims to his home, and rushed to the aid of a pedestrian hit by a car. Now he's going to live on a food stamp budget for a week in solidarity with Americans who feed their families on the government assistance program.
The mayor's office has yet to announce the full details of his plan, but the budget should amount to about $4.44 a day for food, based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture.
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I hope he likes starch – potatoes, pasta, and rice are about all you can afford on food stamps which is why so many poor people are overweight. He will need to cut coupons and read the ad circulars for BOGO deals. If he tried it for a month that would be impressive since a week will be just like going on a diet. He's a great guy for trying it though.
This would be a good idea for all of Congress.
Let them buy their healthcare on the open market for a year, also.
I agree 100% with Bill from GA...
All these people that think it's so great to get food stamps and "free stuff" should try having to live off of them. Despite what many on the right say, the majority of people on food stamps and other government programs would rather NOT be on them and have a real job with real pay.Are there welfare and food stamp cheaters? Of course there are but like not everyone on Wall Street is greedy and arrogant it's the bad ones that get all the notice.
Heck, there will be days where he basically CANNOT eat. I live on the blasted things and though I like to eat healthy there is usually a few days where I have to live off just ramen and eggs—the eggs if I am lucky.
I'm looking forward to seeing if he can do it. He'll come out of this a changed man.
Unfortunately, to me it looks like a joke. Those who depend on food stamps, they don't do it because they like, do it as an experiment or for a short period like one week. They are forced by environment and not able to afford buying other food. This mayor has chosen a wrong path of being supportive.
Wow....these are the gifts that republicans are referring to when they say Obama bought the election? Food stamps? Get real these politicians need to go home to the mansions they built,eat the food they grew,and let the rest of our country go about the work of making this a nation who shows the values that have endured the test of time....care,compassion,fairness and the desire to work and provide for ones family! No one wakes up each day and says " oh boy I'm on food stamps"!!!
A week. Try a month! GOP should be forced to do this! To show them just what THEIR GREED has done to those less fortunate.
@Bill from GA
This would be a good idea for all of Congress.
Let them buy their healthcare on the open market for a year, also.
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YES!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I don't know much about Mr. Booker but this is an admirable and kind thing to do.