College Students Get Food From Pantries
Another sign of the bad economic times: College students are increasingly heading to the local food pantry or proudly declaring on Facebook their use of food stamps, the Associated Press reports. At the University District pantry near the University of Washington, overall demand has risen around 25 percent, with about 150 students visiting each week. At the food-assistance program run by the Community College of Denver, demand has doubled in the past year, forcing the school to also double the pantry's $3,000 budget.
"A lot of students can't call their mom every day to ask for that extra fifty dollars," said a former Benedict College student and founder of the Facebook group "I Ain't Afraid to Be on Food Stamps." "Right now, with things the way they are, a lot of students just can't afford to eat."
Tags: University of Washington
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Cracks
It's too easy for people to "fall through the cracks" in our wonderful system, especially college students. I returned to school to finish my BS and, though I expected challenges, I didn't think affording food would be one of them! I found out that I had to work at least 20 hours a week to be eligible for SNAP and my employer will only work me 17.5 to keep from paying me benefits. When I applied for SNAP, I was told that I could receive benefits if I dropped below a half-time student. This wouldn't do me any good, though, because I would lose my financial aid for school if I dropped below half-time. I'm not in favor of restrictions that prevent students from receiving food assistance. If people lose their benefits when they try to go to school, what incentive do they have to ever better themselves? I would have a much higher quality of life if I would just quit school! Right now, I am facing the decision of wether or not to quit school because I can't make ends meet or find a job with more hours that would still work with my school schedule. It's no secret that going back to school is challenging, but I don't think putting dinner on the table should be one of those challenges. It's very frustrating to try to better myself only to realize that I could receive more assistance if I would fit the stereotype--high school dropout with 3-4 kids from different men. Let me just say that if I could receive food assistance I would take it in a heart beat and no one should be ashamed to take it if they are eligible--I'm practically begging of benefits!
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