A WOMAN is living on £1 a day budget for food to raise awareness of poverty as part of a global challenge.

Louise Frood, 27, is a support worker at the Southend Storehouse community centre and food bank, which hands out hundreds of bags of free food to people in need every week.
 

She was so moved by the plight of the hundred of people helped each week by the project, she decided to take part in the Live Below the Line challenge, where people live on £1 a day for five days, to raise money for their chosen charity.
 

Louise said: “Every week, we give out more than 500 food bags, along with advice and support on housing, budgeting, and family issues.
 

“The Storehouse numbers are increasing, and we are currently stretched to capacity.
 

“I am doing the Live Below the Line challenge to raise awareness of poverty here in Southend. Every day I deal with people for whom poverty is very real, who are not sure when and where their next meal will be coming from. “
 

Louise said her food shop was much harder than she thought it would be.
 

She added: “Making my way to the till, I was anxious in case my maths skills had failed me and I had to put some items back. I had to decide between having tea bags, or having fruit. I took a look down the meat aisle but very quickly realised that the chunk it would take out of my budget would be too great.
 

“Now I’m at home, the panic has set in, and I find myself asking do I have enough? Have I been wise with my budget? What if we run out? I’m already thinking that this challenge will run deeper than what is on my plate.”
 

Juliet Kilpin, 43, is also taking part with her 14-year-old daughter, Althea.

Juliet is a manager for Urban Expression, a charity helping people affected by poverty.
 

She said: “I was inspired by friends who did it last year, and since visiting Uganda and Peru last summer, have witnessed some of the extreme inequalities that exist in our world.
 

“I am hoping to do my small bit to raise awareness of these issues, and raise a bit of cash to help those in need.” Juliet’s weekly supplies for herself and Althea cost just £9.23.
 

This year, more than 5,000 people are taking part. To find out more, visit www.livebelowtheline.co.uk