Do you think you could feed your family with just $29 this week?

It might sound impossible, but it’s the reality for too many Arizona families. As participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), these families receive much-needed food assistance. But at just over $4 per day -- it is difficult for many people in our community.

Last year, I decided to experience living on SNAP (food stamps) firsthand.

I spent a week living on the same food budget as someone who receives SNAP. This included all food for me, my husband and our three children. I documented my experience via YouTube, from the initial grocery shopping experience, through the end of the week. I remember specific moments, as I watched the gallon of milk quickly dwindle and when I only ate half a banana for breakfast on day 5. The weeklong SNAP experience felt surreal as I walked in the shoes of many hardworking families who struggle with hunger each day.

One of the hardest moments was on this day when my son became ill and we had to buy him some medicine. He was miserable, and I wanted more than anything to buy him a treat to help him feel better -- but I knew it wasn’t in our family’s budget.

The issue of hunger is more common than you might think:

• One in four Arizona children are hungry.
• 82,000 households in Valley struggle to put food on the table every day, and more than half of those households include children.
• Most households that use supplemental programs like SNAP, include seniors and people with disabilities.

I encourage everyone to learn how hunger impacts our local community. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Check out the blogs on the SNAP Experience
2. Join the End Hunger Team because September is Hunger Action Month.
3. Plan to volunteer to End Hunger.

Kristin Hassett is the Vice President of Marketing at Valley of the Sun United Way. She has 13 years of experience in the marketing and advertising sector. Kristin is an ASU alumna and a proud wife and mother.