Julie Jesmer learned in July that she had two months left at her USDA-funded position at Michigan State University, where she worked with nutrition experts on a food program to help Midwest farmers.
- Former MSU employee shares the struggles of being unemployed since September when she lost a federally-funded position
- Julie Jesmer is only paying for necessities such as rent, utilities and gas
- Jesmer waits for potential employers to call back with about two-months worth of funds in her bank account
WATCH: JOB LOSS LEAVES LANSING WOMAN BETWEEN BENEFITS AND FOOD ASSISTANCE
Job loss leaves Lansing woman between benefits and food assistance
Funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allowed Michigan State University to begin its Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center, which occasionally offered cooking classes to show SNAP recipients how to maximize their benefits.
Last summer, USDA pulled its funding, forcing MSU to cut the program, leaving Jesmer and others without work.
“I made both my rent payment and my car payment today,” Jesmer said. “I have roughly $1000 left in [my bank] account.”…