NANTICOKE -- More students at one Luzerne County college are now relying on the school to stop them from going hungry.
As the cost of college increases, so does the cost of food.
That's why officials said more Luzerne County Community College students are relying on the school's on-campus food bank when they go hungry.
Student and LCCC employee Gregory Johnson visits it regularly.
"When you're backed up in your bills and I might not have enough money left over, I come up in here and get some extra if I need, some extra food," said Johnson.
He's not alone. Staff members who run the food bank said over the years they've helped hundreds of students, and they've seen an increase in the last two semesters.
"Some weeks we might have maybe only 30, 40. The next week there might be 60, 70," said Eddie Janosov, food bank organizer.
All the goods in the pantry are donated. The Red Cross donated a bunch of meal packages to the food bank. It's what people in the military use because all you need to do is add water. The people who come to the food bank said this is one of their favorite things to pick up.
Some students said they like to donate after they've already relied on the food bank.
"I know how it feels. When I don't use something, I feel other people can use it more than me," said student Jill Cowen of Pittston.
"It's difficult being on your own and a college student."
The pantry is open for a few hours each day, but organizers said they can let students in whenever they need food.