For billions of people around the world, surviving on $1.50 per day in food and drink is a way of life, every day. Live Below the Line is a dynamic fundraising project that challenges individuals to eat and drink on just $1.50 per day for 5 consecutive days. This bold campaign strives to increase the number of people taking direct action and drives home an awareness regarding the lack of choice and opportunity faced by those living in extreme poverty.

Lorna Parton, our own healthy living/health and beauty buyer, has committed to living this challenge for 5 days - April 28 through May 2 - in the hopes of raising funds for those living in extreme poverty and to experience what it’s like to “live below the line.”

“I’m so passionate about this cause. This is an amazing opportunity to connect, take vital action and to get a taste, both literally and figuratively, of what it’s like to live on pennies per meal, per day,” says Lorna.

What might a typical day of eating look like on $1.50 per day? Some affordable, healthy foods include beans, rice, lentils, bananas, eggs, and kitchari, and Lorna’s up for experiencing some creative meal planning strategies and even some new recipes.

“Even salt and pepper has to be factored in to the $1.50 value,” says Lorna. “Tap water doesn’t count and the challenge prohibits receiving food given from an outside source.”

In the past three years, more than 50,000 people around the world have “lived below the line” which has helped to raise $10 million for the world’s poor.   Partnering organizations include The Hunger Project, The Global One Foundation, Ubuntu and UNICEF, just to name a few.  For more information, visit www.livebelowtheline.com . 

After May 2, we’ll catch up with Lorna after she completes the challenge to find out what she experienced and what it’s like to live below the line.