More college students turning to food banks
Economy: Young adults are feeling the crunch of rising prices
Pantries are seeing increase in applicants who go to universities.

 
By The Associated Press | Published: July 26, 2008    Comment on this article Leave a comment

SEATTLE — Just blocks from the University of Washington, a line of people shuffle toward a food pantry, awaiting handouts such as milk and bread.

For years, the small University District pantry has offered help to the working poor and single parents in this neighborhood of campus rentals. Now rising food prices are bringing another group: Struggling college students.

Advertisement


DID YOU KNOW?
Food stamps
•Food stamps are distributed through a Department of Agriculture programs administered by the states. But the agency does not track whether applicants are enrolled in college, so the number of students is unknown.

•Students generally are eligible for food stamps if they qualify for a state or federally funded work-study program; work at least 20 hours per week; have a child under the age of 12; or are taking employer-sponsored job training classes.

"Right now, with things the way they are, a lot of students just can't afford to eat,” said Terry Capleton, who started a Facebook group called "I Ain't Afraid to be on Food Stamps” when he was a student at Benedict College in South Carolina.

Some of the students are working their way through college with grants, loans and part-time jobs. Others are just reluctant to ask parents for more money.

"More and more, it's just the typical traditional student, about 18 to 22, that's feeling this crunch,” said Larry Brickner-Wood, director of the Cornucopia Food Pantry at the University of New Hampshire.

The rising costs
In the past year, the price of groceries has jumped nearly 5 percent, the highest increase in nearly two decades. The cost of some staples has shot up by more than 30 percent.

At the University District pantry in Seattle, demand has risen roughly 25 percent this year.

Page 1 of 2



If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman's Opinion section, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.

Ads by Yahoo!

New Vista D90 Sedan Class
Refined Elegance. Power with Safety Endless features. Test drive now!
Cars.TataMotors.com/Tata-Vista-D90
Technology Education
Solutions for Your Small Business Business Begins Here.
www.business.com

News Photo Galleriesview all