(photo courtesy of USDA)

It's Hunger Awareness Week in Oregon and the Bush administration is asking for spending cuts in the U.S. Department of Agruculture's Food Stamp Program. Oregon Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski and his wife, attorney Mary Oberst, have decided that for the week they will spend just $3 a day apiece on their meals, $42 in all, to match the amount spent by the average food stamp recipient in Oregon.

Governor Kulongoski lived in a home for boys as a child and plans to lobby against the cuts in the Food Stamp Program proposed by the Bush administration. According to an Associated Press report posted by CBS News,

Oregon's first couple are the most-high profile people so far to take part in a "food stamp challenge," a growing trend sponsored by religious groups, community activists and food pantries across the country. The goal is to walk the proverbial mile in the steps of those who rely on food stamps to feed a family, to kindle both awareness, and, hopefully, empathy.

To read the AP report posted by CBS News on the Governor & Food Stamps go to: Oregon Gov. Will Live On Food Stamp Diet

Further information on the anti-hunger program can be found by going to: USDA Food Stamp Program