Who knew a PhD came with food stamps? Prof. Melissa Bruninga-Matteau tells her story #foodstamps #FTF

Faces of the Facts

Debt & Deficits

Who knew a PhD came with food stamps?

Since the 2008 recession, more people in America find it hard to make ends meet. Demand for public assistance such as food stamps continues to grow. So does the diversity of people asking for help.

Melissa Bruninga-Matteau spent about a decade in college earning her degrees, finishing her PhD in History late last year. She thought her investment in education would lead to success. She never imagined relying on public assistance for food and medical care for her and her teenage daughter.

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