On April 6, 2010, 10 high-profile Torontonians (and their families, if they’re joining them) will pick up a standard food bank hamper at The Stop Community Food Centre.  These hampers -- which include an array of non-perishable food, as well as a little bit of fresh produce -- typically last a person three or four days, though many folks stretch this to a week or ten days.

Participants will live exclusively off the contents of the hamper for as long as they can. They will not eat out or accept free food or drink (though they are encouraged to eat at least two meals at a drop-in). They will be allowed to use up to five standard pantry ingredients -- oil, flour, salt, coffee, etc. -- but are asked to keep track of the quantity of these items used.

Jonah Schein, the Civic Engagement Worker at the Stop Community Food Centre, says that even though food banks have become an institution in Toronto, they’re not a replacement for adequate social assistance benefits.