Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

Jaqueline Hernandez crouched in front of the fridge in her second-story apartment on the northwest side of Houston, the fluorescent white light glowing over the mostly empty shelves.

Chickpeas, spinach, a box of pasta. That was all that was left from the last grocery store run, and now, she and her boyfriend were running out of cash. The 22-year-old mom works part time — typically between 4 and 10 hours a week — making about $13.50 an hour scanning tickets at an arena stadium and venues around the city.

"We just have to get creative," said Hernandez, mulling their limited dinner options. That August night, though the air conditioner had sputtered out, they would have a chickpea stew.

Hernandez knows a stable income could be transformative for her fa

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