Jan-Michael Sacharko, A-SPAN.org
This is Jan from A-SPAN (Should be easy to remember). Like Heather, I work to raise awareness and funding for a population at risk: the homeless of Arlington, Virgina. An anonymous sage shared with me that “homelessness isn’t a genetic disease or something you can catch, but it CAN be a death sentence if not treated soon enough.”
Food plays a big part in ending homelessness. Escaping homelessness requires setting goals, holding down a job, being healthy – and you can’t do that or be that without knowing where your next meal is coming from and having that meal be healthy.
So I will do this $30 a week challenge with Heather to support her and share a bit what I experience. I’m keeping track of money spent, calorie intake, and my weight. Like Heather I’ll have some rules.
Hers:
- $30 a week for food and beverage
- Grocery store must be within 1.5 miles
- Cut coupons as obtainable
- Open to use the Franciscan Program or other food program
- Utilize best choices for nutrition
Mine extra:
- Having been an AmeriCorps volunteer (making less than $10,000 for two years in a row), I will not turn down free food EXCEPT when it would take food from our clients
- To be realistic, any spices or condiments in my possession prior to today can be used BUT none of the food
- I can drink coffee provided by my office
- I will allow friends to make or buy a meal occasionally IF it would have happened anyway. I will not create opportunities for friends to take care of me
I’m 6’ 4” and my starting weight is 200 lbs. I’ll share as much as Heather wants me to.
