Apprentice broke down on me

I need advice to pass along but here’s a story prior to my question.

Well brothers and sisters today was the day something happened for the first time ever. Break time rolls around and I sit down with the kiddo and finally asked him why he doesn’t eat at break. Tears start to come out and I’m like ohhh boy what did I do.

Turns out joining the apprenticeship took a massive pay cut for em and he has zero clue how to manage his new source of income from his prior ways of living (he said he’s slowly figuring it out but once he gets it he has to take off a whole week for class and EDD makes it such a hassle to get unemployment)

I felt bad for the man and handed him a quick $40 because I know times are tough and he did the most important task, (showing up on time and wanting to work and learn) he hasn’t been eating at break for a good couple weeks but boy am I glad I finally asked him why.

It took a while for em to take the cash. And we spent break trying to find a budget for em, and yeah he’s drowning paying for rent, an auto loan, insurance and all the other overhead costs to live. It sucks he had to take meals out of his budget.

Here is what I need help with. What are some good budget meals to have or filling “cheap” snacks to purchase to have his brain getting fuel. I’ll be taking care of him for a bit packing a second lunch with zero problems on my end to give out a hand.