'00 astro won't start, need help please

My van was running almost empty on gas after work one night. I went home to get money so I could fill it up but when I tried to take it to the gas station it wouldn't start.
I looked through several threads here and discovered that I hadn't thought to listen for the fuel pump. I just went out and checked, it still won't start and I did not hear the pump like I used to.
I've fixed several things on it already, but I've never had to deal with a fuel pump before and I don't really know where to start.
Any help would be much appreciated.

You need to establish whether there is adequate fuel pressure. Knowing that will determine which direction you search next.

Is there a cheap way I could do that?
I don't have any money to spare right now, I can barely afford to eat and not being able to drive to get to job interviews isn't helping.

Still got a problem?
When my '97 became hard to start, it would start with "starting fluid", then keep running. These things need more pressure to start than to run. That told me the ignition, etc. was ok. I borrowed a fuel pressure guage, and my pressure was down. Replacing the pump fixed it.
Be sure to check the electrical connector on the pump. They seem to burn.