2-3 times takes a toll almost everywhere, I am a grad student in Iowa where costs are not that high. Eating out more than once a week seems like a luxury to me.
We spend more money cooking than when we eat out, just because getting access to decent produce is a bit difficult. But I live in Beijing right now, and know this combination of crappy grocery stores and decent/cheap eateries can't last when I move back to the states.
I took JP's class a few years ago at Iowa, great guy and really passionate about HCI for kids. He is fairly active via emails, you might want to get in touch with him there if you wish to donate.