Money Down the Drain

Based on the most recent United States Census report, the poverty level in the United States is 17.6% while the poverty level in Kentucky is higher than the national average at 20.3%

Residents at a local shelter stated they ran out of benefit food dollars mid-month and had to rely on the shelter’s food bank to feed their family during the remainder of the month.

The shelter partnered with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Assistant (SNAP-Ed Assistant) to teach a series of nutrition classes with one class emphasizing budgeting and spending their food dollars wisely.  The participants were given a journal and asked to write down all food purchases, foods consumed, and food thrown away for one week.

At the next meeting, the participants discussed how they made unwise decisions regarding their food dollars and by writing it down, it made them realize how they could change their spending habits.  

Approximately 25% of the participants talked about getting up in the night and opening a can of pop, only taking a few drinks, then the remainder of the can would be thrown away the next morning. Reusable water bottles were given to the participants and they were encouraged to fill those with water to drink of the nights.  

At the end of the class series, almost all of the participants stated they were now drinking more water daily.  One participant stated she saved $30 during the month by not buying so much pop and she felt better by not having to depend on the shelter’s food bank as much.