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NANTICOKE — According to a new study, many community college students who have to balance jobs, families and studies often struggle with bills and basic necessities.

Researchers at the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, surveyed more than 4,000 undergraduate students at 10 community colleges in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York, California, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Montgomery County Community College, in Blue Bell, represented Pennsylvania.

In the study, researchers concluded that 20 percent are going hungry and 13 percent are homeless. The study said a growing number of low-income undergraduates experience food and housing insecurity, even with assistance from the government, like a Pell Grant — a student aid program to help students with college costs — which, at it’s inception, covered the full costs of attending community college.

The study concluded that 13 percent of students were homeless, 20 percent reported “very low” food security and 19 percent reported “low” food security.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines very low food security is indicative of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake, and low food security is indicative of a poor or unvaried diet.

Local help

While no local colleges were included in the survey, Luzerne County Community College offers a food pantry to students who face financial hardship.

The food pantry, which is located on the second floor of the campus center, was a project that “was originally designed to provide lunch for students who were going without eating and did not have money to purchase lunch,” Lisa Nelson, the director of college relations, said.

It evolved into the food pantry that exists today, which provides lunch and other basic necessities for students.

According to Nelson, from September 2012 through January 2015, more than 1,100 students used the pantry.

Luzerne resident and Luzerne County Community College nursing program student Jerry Modeste needed the food pantry help this year because unexpected car trouble threw off his budget. He credits LCCC’s director of student life and athletics, Mary Sullivan, for telling him about the pantry because he didn’t know it existed.

Modeste said Sullivan caught him eating a honey bun and drinking water for lunch one afternoon, and after expressing concern over his lunch choice, told him about the bank.

“Sometimes you have to choose between rent or eating,” Modeste said.

SNAP assistance

Modeste noted that when applying for governmental help, he was denied because “students are evaluated differently.”

Rachel Kostelac, deputy press secretary for SNAP, said college students, of any age, must meet one of the follow requirements to be eligible:

• Physically or mentally unfit

• Responsible for the care of a dependent household member under age 6

• Participating in an on-the-job-training program

• Working 20 hours a week or self-employed with earnings equal to at least 20 hours times the federal minimum hourly wage or participating in a state or federally financed work-study program during the regular school year

• Participating in a work-study program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965

• Receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits

• Attending a school or training program that is not an institution of high education

• Enrolled in an institution of higher education less than half-time, as determined by the institution

• Age 50 or older

• Enrolled full-time in an institution of higher education, as determined by the institution, and a single parent responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 12, regardless of the availability of adequate child care.

• Enrolled in an institution of higher education through or to comply with the requirements of The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, The Food Stamp Act Employment and Training Program or The Trade Act of 1974 program.

“A one person household’s monthly gross income limit is $1,570,” Kostelac said, noting the income limit doesn’t change for students or non-students.

The SNAP website, which changed income levels effective October 2014, has a two person household’s monthly gross income is $2,098, with each additional family member adding $542.

Non-student help

“Non-students are evaluated by household composition, identity, citizenship, residence, resources, income and income deductions,” Kostelac said.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — the country’s food stamp program — is under the guidance of the USDA.

“I’m trying to better myself and be a functioning member of society,” Modeste said. “It’s not fair (to be denied benefits as a student).”

LCCC’s food pantry is funded and stocked through donations through the annual fund drive, faculty and staff collections and the annual Empty Bowls campaign, Nelson said.

Modeste said he was humbled and grateful when he stepped into the pantry, “it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Luzerne County Community College food bank volunteer Jessica Spisak straightens the shelves during a recent visit.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL12xx15communitycollege.jpg.optimal.jpgLuzerne County Community College food bank volunteer Jessica Spisak straightens the shelves during a recent visit. Clark Van Orden | Times Leader

By Melanie Mizenko

[email protected]

To read the full study, go to http://tlgets.me/ixr.

Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko.