What significance is the in the fact that Jurgis eats his lunches at a free-lunch counter? Consider that Sinclair is a believer in Socialism and is quite religious.

Socialists believe in government entitlements, and Catholics believe in charity. Many people believe that it is not the government's job to provide food and services to the poor, something that at one time was only done by the Church. To hold both viewpoints would be rather difficult....... Jurgis was spending a portion of his pay in order to keep his job (lodgings). Eating at the free-lunch counter enabled him to save money he would not have been able to save.