CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – How difficult is it to live on SNAP benefits?

The ongoing SNAP Challenge sponsored by the Advisory Board for Leadership and Engagement at Clarion University asks people to discover the answer to that question for themselves.

(Pictured above: Advisory Board for Leadership and Engagement members offered sign-ups for the SNAP Challenge outside of the Clarion Walmart on Saturday, January 27.)

The SNAP Challenge – based on the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – is designed to give participants a brief look into the kind of difficulties faced by millions of low-income Americans who are struggling to put food on their tables. Participants are encouraged to keep a journal or record of their experiences and write down their thoughts throughout the experience.

exploreClarion.com caught up with Christian Schill (pictured below), a Keystone graduate and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry major at CUP and one of the Advisory Board for Leadership and Engagement members in charge of the Challenge.

“The Challenge has stimulated quite a bit of conversation among community members, both online and verbally. I have spoken to all kinds of people in the community about this issue and heard their views,” Schill said.

Currently, there are around ten people signed up for the challenge, according to Schill, including at least one person from outside of Clarion County.

“One gentleman from Jefferson County reached out and is now participating in the challenge,” Schill shared.

Though the group has certainly stimulated discussion within the community, not all of the feedback is positive.

“Some people who actually are on SNAP benefits have criticized that the amount we suggested was too high, as it was unrealistically high for this area, however they still supported what the program stood for,” Schill said.

Interested individuals can still get involved with the SNAP Challenge by contacting Christian Schill at [email protected].

After the challenge is finished, the Advisory Board for Leadership and Engagement will be hosting a community potluck at the VFW in Clarion for the participants on March 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring dishes they made during their time attempting the challenge. Chicken and drinks will be provided.