"It's a challenge for the teenagers, putting them out of their comfort zone and doing something a bit fun," he said.
"I devise two menus. It goes up on Facebook. The teenagers like the one they want and we head out and buy our ingredients for $11.25. Then I'll ration it out throughout the week."
On the last night the group would get together for the last meal as part of the challenge. Last year it consisted of chips and half a sausage. "You get quite hungry because it's not really enough to keep going. But I love a challenge," he said.
The group will raise money for Tear Fund, one of New Zealand's leading Christian aid and development agencies that helps with child sponsorship, disaster relief and community development.
Last year Mr Ryder and the group raised $15,000.
Global Poverty Project and Live Below the Line chief executive William Watterson said 1350 New Zealanders had signed up in an attempt to raise $1million. "On the 23rd of September those Kiwis will symbolically walk a mile in the shoes of the 1.2billion people living below the extreme poverty line.
"Through our partnership with 24 charities, Live Below the Line continues to raise the consciousness of many Kiwis ... into what it means to live below the poverty line."
Other charities involved in the Global Poverty Project that sparked the Live Below the Line challenge were Oxfam, Child Fund, P3, Unicef, and World Vision.
By the numbers
What could $11.25 get you in groceries?
Kings Choice Basmati rice, 1kg - $2.99.
Homebrand tomatoes, diced, 400g - 85c.
Homebrand standard milk, 2 litres - $3.39.
Watties lentils, 400g -$1.99.
Homebrand toast bread, white - $1.48.
Grand total $10.70.
- Countdown
