Greg Stanton is the major of Phoenix, and he decided to take part in an empathy-building experiment sponsored by the Arizona Community Action Association (ACAA) designed to help elected leaders understand how their political decisions can affect people who are struggling. Stanton agreed to live of a weekly budget equivalent to that of a typical SNAP (food stamps) recipient in his area: $4.16 per day, or a total of $29 per week (that’s the limit for one person; a family of four allottment is $97 per week).

“This exercise is a great awareness tool to help us all understand how difficult it is for struggling families to get by during tough times, even with help,” Stanton said. ”The real challenge is creating healthy, balanced meals on such a tight budget, especially for growing children. Rising out of the recession takes all of us together as a city working toward a strong economic future for everyone.”

Katie Kahle, ACAA Outreach and Community Development Manager, said the SNAP Experience is designed to “help others understand the challenges too many of our neighbors face every day trying to feed their families. So many of these men and women are working two and three jobs to help make ends meet. It is not an easy time.”