Monday, June 4, 2007; Posted: 5:45 p.m. (CDT)

It sounds practically impossible to do for many Americans, eat for one week on only $21.  However, for those on food stamps it's a reality.

Norman Council member and Mayor-Elect Cindy Rosenthal says, "We know that hunger is an issue in our community and my participation is aimed at trying to build more awareness."

It's called the Food Stamp Project. 

Rosenthal says she decided to give it a try to understand what some people in her community go through everyday.

Rosenthal says, "It's already quite challenging because some of the things we take for granted are no longer within the budget."

It's an issue that affects more than 400,000 Oklahomans.  Those on food stamps learn to eat on about one dollar a day per family member.

Rosenthal says, "No Starbucks, no impulse buying and even in planning for the menus it was challenging to think about staying in that budget and not going over."

That budget, $21 per family member.

Rosenthal is not alone.  The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is encouraging everyone willing to give it a try for just one week.  Rosenthal says awareness is one of the biggest changes she's seen.

She says, "I'm very aware as I go into this of how much I'm able to spend on food. and I think that awareness is the biggest change."

Rodney Bivens, with the Regional Food Bank, says, "We've had that same experience from several other individuals who have taken the challenge."

Even though she will only live this way for one week, Rosenthal says it's good to know what other live through.  She started the challenge Sunday, and says the support she's received is encouraging.

She says, "A number of people have written me and sent e-mails and even if they are not actually taking the challenge this has prompted them to think about the issues, and that's the goal."

Tuesday is National Hunger Awareness Day.  For more information check out www.hungerinoklahoma.org