Hunger is pervasive on college campuses across the country, including in Washington, and a university in the state is one example of how students are trying to tackle food insecurity at its roots. Jaeda Nelson, coordinator for the Wildcat Pantry at Central Washington University, which provides food and essentials to students, faculty and staff, said they are working on implementing another program to help students in the winter quarter. "Peer student ambassadors that can support students in their enrollment for SNAP, to get their utility bills reduced, to get their Wi-Fi reduced," Nelson outlined. " .
Almost one in ten Nebraskans receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps, but that could change in the new year. If a 2021 expansion of income eligibility put in place during the pandemic is allowed to "sunset" in 2023, many fewer households and individuals will qualify for SNAP. Tina Rockenbach - executive director for Community Action of Nebraska - said some believe since many jobs lost when COVID was at its peak have come back, there should be less need for food assistance, but that isn t what her staff has been seeing. .
"There have been 150% cost increases for a case of peanut butter and almost 200% cost increases for soup," said Sonya Warwick, communications director of Roadrunner Food Bank.
Holiday preparations are underway, and those who battle hunger in New Mexico are urging communities to remember their neighbors at a time when food could be scarce. Sonya Warwick, communications and events director for the Roadrunner Food Bank, said hunger affects one in five children in the state and one in eight people overall, with even more in rural counties. She explained from seniors hit by inflation, to those with chronic health conditions coping with the high cost of medicine, people from all walks of life can struggle to afford all their monthly needs and still buy groceries. .
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